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Natural Oakville - The Mallard Duck

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Industry Observer

Natural Oakville - The Mallard Duck

The Mallard Duck compensates for it's abundance with it's great beauty and curious personality. Commonly found in waterbodies throughout the Oakville region, it's adaptability has made it the most commonly seen duck in the Halton region.Mallard Drakes on Lake Ontario in Oakville

  • Mallards are capable of interbreeding with 63 other species of ducks worldwide.

  • It is found on 6 continents and is the most widespread duck in the world.

  • Male Mallards, known as drakes, only have their bright green head during the breeding season. In the eclipse season, their plumage becomes a dull brown similar to the females. Female mallards are known as 'hens'.Female and Male Mallard Breeding Pair in Lake Ontario, Oakville
  • Male mallards can be distinguished during the non-breeding season by their yellowish bills. The females have a more brownish bill.

  • During the non-breeding season, mallards form large flocks known as 'sords'.

  • Mallards are known as 'dabblers' due to their feeding style.
    Feeding mainly on plant food (although the young do feed on insects), they float on waterbodies and tip their bodies downwards where they can 'dabble' on the food to be found just below the surface.

  • A Mallard pair stays together only until the female lays eggs. At that time she is left alone by the male.

  • After laying up to 13 eggs, the female mallard incubates them until they hatch, approximately 28 days later.

  • After hatching, young mallards are readily able to swim and feed on insects. They stay close to their mother for protection.

  • Some mallards remain in the Halton/Oakville region throughout the winter, as long as there is open water.
    The majority, however, can be seen in the Oakville and Burlington area beginning in February when they return from their southern wintering grounds.

©2010JoSmith

 

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Comments (20)

Not In Real Estate Any Longer
Autaugaville, AL

Hi Jo,

Great post. We have ducks on the Grand behind my apartment building too. Everyday on our walks Joker and I get serenaded...it's a harmony of ducks and geese actually. Can be very noisy sometimes...LOL

Feb 26, 2010 01:17 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Pam,

Sounds like the same orchestra that plays at the Bronte Outer Harbour Marina, where we keep our boat....I guess they really get around!

Jo

Feb 26, 2010 01:44 AM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Jo...I understand these guys all come here to ride out the Winter in your Part of the World...who Told me?, the Ducks of course they are here now :O))

Feb 26, 2010 01:57 AM
Ty Lacroix
Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc - London, ON

Jo

I dodge the ducks most days when walking along the Thames and I swear they swear back at me, if you know what I mean?

Ty

Feb 26, 2010 02:21 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Fred,

They're the kings of opportunism and comfort....so Victoria would be a natural choice for wintering grounds...especially with you there doling out tasty treats and having long talks with them. ((((-;

Jo

Feb 26, 2010 02:34 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Ty,

They're very feisty creatures, aren't they? They'd make great real estate agents...exceptt for the fact that they would encourage squatting where ever they go..

Jo

Feb 26, 2010 02:36 AM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Jo - These are beautiful shots - I especially like the sharpness in the second one! Well done! You have offered info on the mallards I did not know, like the males lose their color out of the breeding season.

Debi

Feb 26, 2010 03:23 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Jo - while we get Mallards in our "neighbours" back yard I did not know about the colour changes as we only see them as you have them pictured here in all their splendour.

Feb 26, 2010 03:52 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Thanks Debi! 
Coming from you that's a great honour...I would love to have half of your knowledge and photography talent.

Jo

Feb 26, 2010 06:07 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Kathy,

In the summertime, at the marina and after the breeding season is over, we have mostly the brownish mallards....they've lost their green head feathers.

Jo

Feb 26, 2010 06:09 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Kathy,

In the summertime, at the marina and after the breeding season is over, we have mostly the brownish mallards....they've lost their green head feathers.

Jo

Feb 26, 2010 06:17 AM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Jo, what an interesting post. I had no idea that Mallards were all over the world.

Feb 26, 2010 07:04 AM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Jo..this is for Debi...Me too

Feb 26, 2010 10:30 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Jo-Anne the clarity and resolution in your photo is fabulous!

Feb 26, 2010 01:47 PM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Jo

The picture of that hen and drake pretty well sum it up for companionship. I am looking at this with my friend Linda and she made the comment about what you pick as subjects being so wonderful.

Feb 27, 2010 03:31 PM
Jeanean Gendron
The Address Realty - Redding, CA
Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Jo, love the photos and I learned a few things about Mallards. They have always been a fave of mine. Beautiful photos. I really like both of them.....lovely!

Feb 27, 2010 10:51 PM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Malcolm,

They're extremely common and interbreed almost everywhere!

Jo

Mar 05, 2010 02:11 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Fred and Liz,

Thank you!

Jo

Mar 05, 2010 02:12 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

hi Tom,

Please say hi to Linda for me and Thanks!

Jo

Mar 05, 2010 02:12 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

hi Jeanean,

Do you have them in ponds down there too?

Jo

Mar 05, 2010 02:13 AM