Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Male Mallard Duck on Ice by Val Lee

Lee recently asked readers “What was the first bird you saw this year and where?”  My… what a question!  I never even gave it a thought when the New Year struck.  I had to think. I do know one of the first birds I noticed was the Mallard—countless Mallards at my favorite Boise, Idaho park where I shot this guy about a week ago. I implemented a special artistic effect to the photo.  

I do enjoy these fellows and we can have a trail of a hundred or more following us when my husband, Alan, and I walk with friends who provide them with nutritious corn. They love this yummy treat.  

Mallards are known as a loud resounding bird species. The male has a nasal call and the female makes that common “quack” sound—always associated with ducks. (I must say, though they are known for being noisy, they seem quite quiet in comparison to Geese who love to hear their own trumpeting voices and want everyone else to hear them too!)  

The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is the most recognizable of all ducks. Males are identified as drakes and females are hens. They breed throughout the temperate and sub-tropical areas of North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia. It is strongly migratory in the northern parts of its breeding range, and winters farther south. For example, in North America it winters south to Mexico, but regularly strays into Central America and the Caribbean between September and May. (I find some of these facts very puzzling, because Mallards reside here in Southern Idaho, no matter the freezing, icy temperatures. They have no desire to fly to a lovely plush and warm landing strip. I have also noticed they have no problem sleeping on an ice pond.)  

Here is a video shot in the winter of many Mallards flying toward me:  

Drakes have a distinctive iridescent green head (quite striking and magnificent), white neck ring, and a bright yellow bill. They also display a dark brown chest and lighter coloring on the rest of the body with a stream of lovely blue feathers visible on the lower wing—a speculum. Female Mallards lack the green head and are more heavily patterned with a light cream body, black stripes, but with the same recognizable blue wing feathering. Their bill is darker, though occasionally it will be a vibrant orange. Both sexes display bright orange feet. Of course, the female is less attractive as she must protect the nest from predators by blending in. Mallards are beautifully designed by Jesus Christ the Creator of all—John chapter 1.  

Male Mallard Winged Fan Speculum by Val Lee

A Mallard’s lifespan ranges from 5 to 10 years. They have a wingspan of approximately 6 ft and are 26 inches in length. They weigh in between 2-3 lbs. They are categorized within the dabbling duck family—as omnivores— typically feeding by diving for small fish and wild seed in calm freshwater wetlands such as swamps, ponds, lakes, rivers, city parks, streams, and coastal waters. They will also consume insects and frogs, as well as corn pieces and processed grain foods. (I call them vacuum cleaners because food is gone as quickly as it is placed before them. They suck everything up like a vacuum. You would think they hadn’t eaten for a month.)  

( I shot this cute chick at Albertson’s Park)  

Mallards will pair with the female only until the she lays eggs, at which time she is abandoned. (Male Mallards are not the committed type according to my findings.  However, I see a few devoted couples throughout the year.  There is one pair I really enjoy being around and they have come out of the water and set close to my husband and I at the park when seated on a bench. Photo is below my videos)  

Here are my videos, Part 1 and 2, that tells the tale of a lost baby:

Female and Male Mallard by Val Lee

Female Mallard and fledglings by Val Lee

 

The female lays a clutch of 8–13 eggs, being incubated for 27–28 days. These dabbling ducklings emerge from their eggs, implementing their specialized hardened “egg tooth” (isn’t that amazing?). Following hatching, they are led to water for their first swim. There is no need to teach as God has implanted in them this natural ability. They are precocial—they can swim and feed themselves on insects as soon as they hatch. They, however, stay near their mother for protection. It takes about two months before the ducklings fledge. (I must say, I hate it when I see an adorable duckling devoured by a predator. I hurt and the mother hurts terribly.  She just cries and cries.  A couple years ago, Alan and I witnessed a baby Mallard apprehended and its mommy swam around the pound sorrowing loudly. Fortunately, a remarkable thing occurred. A Canadian Goose swam up beside her and stayed with her as she bore her grief paddling rapidly throughout the pond. You could tell this Goose cared and empathized and it wasn’t going to leave until the Mallard recovered a bit. When I see a duckling killed, it bothers me for quite a spell. Alan often reminds me, without sympathy, it’s all part of the food chain establishment of God or something to this effect.  Oh, well, I don’t have to like it and I have a bird-loving friend who empathizes with me.)  

For those of you who have asked Jesus Christ to be your Savior (1John chapter 5, verses 11-13) the future offers countless blessings. When Christ’s millennial kingdom is ushered in, the globe will rotate in perfect peace. Glorious things will unfold. The lion will lay with the lamb. Children will be able to play around snakes that were once poisonous. Baby ducklings will not be preyed upon. Wow! Many glorious happenings are revealed in the Bible for this period when the sinful curse of mankind is erased.  Christians will celebrate with joy incomprehensible!  

*Some info gathered from Wikipedia.  

Letter to the Bird Enthusiast!  

See more at Val’s Looking Glass   

PS I just looked out my window. There is a male and female Mallard next to my yard. Never have I noticed them in our home area previously. I hope they prepare a nest nearby. I threw them some seed, perhaps that will a bit of an incentive.