Wingspan: 36 Inches

Age: May live to be 19 years old.

Range: Eastern North America

Food: Submerged plants, aquatic insects, tadpoles, worms etc. In the marine estuaries consumes snails, mussels, and crustaceans. In fall eats wild berries and visits farm fields to glean various types of grain from the ground after harvest.

Nesting: A nest of grasses and leaves lined with down is made in a depression on the ground. The nest is well hidden by tall grass or located under a low bush. Occasionally nests in tree cavities and abandoned nests of hawks or crows. The female incubates 5-17 cream-white to green-buff eggs for 26-28 days. Ducklings are precocial, and are led to water by the female soon after hatching. Young make their first flights at about 60 days of age.

In many parts of its range, especially deforested areas, the Mallard is replacing the Black Duck. The two species frequently hybridize and the interior races seem to have been particularly hard hit by genetic swamping. The coastal race however appears to be faring better, and while it is not too uncommon to see hybrids, the Black Ducks seem to be holding there own. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation lists the Black Duck as a protected game species.