The Mallard was introduced to New Zealand from 1867 -1960 for game purposes and is now the most numerous and widespread waterfowl.  They breed with Grey Ducks and hybrids are common.

The breeding male has a dark glossy green head, chestnut breast, pale grey body, black rump and undertail and a yellow-green bill.  The female is streaked and spotted brown and buff on the body and wings and the bill is brownish grey with orange at the base, sides and tip.  The non breeding male is duller in colour.  All have orange legs and feet and a blue speculum bordered with thin black and broader white bands front and back.  The female call is a ‘quack, quack’ and the male call is a soft high pitched ‘quek’.

The diet is mainly aquatic vegetation, grass and clover.  Aquatic invertebrates, grain, peas and beans are also eaten.

Breeding is between late July and January and usually 2 broods are year are raised in nests built with grasses and lined with down.  The clutch of 10 – 16 eggs is incubated by the female for 26 – 28 days and the ducklings are led to water soon after they hatch.

Not seen on Tiri in recent years.

Photography by: Max McRae ©

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.