Living in the Baltic Sea

Age
2 years old
Record size & age
25 - 30 years
Habitat
Along the coastline, spending a lot if time in the water. The nest is usually placed away from the water, well hidden in the grass, under a bush or in rich herbal vegetation. They live in flocks but for the mating period. Most of the birds move south during the winters.
Food
Seed, small insects and crustaceans, occasionally also human leftovers.

Reproduction
Age: 1 year
Season: Winter - Spring
Number of eggs: 7-11

They pair in the fall, winter and during the spring. The male guard the female during the period before the eggs are laid in April. One batch of eggs is laid once a year. They are placed in a hole in the ground where the female brood them for about 27 days. The eggs are white, yellow or green with no specks. The ducklings are precocial, and can swim and feed themselves on insects as soon as they hatch. They stay near the mother for protection for 50-60 days. Only about 50-60 % of the young survive their first year.

Human impact and Status
Mallards are hunted because of their good tasting meat and they are also bred for hunting. CLOSE