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Oct 4, 2023 · Key Differences Between Mallard and Mottled Duck. Here are 25 key differences between the Mallard and Mottled Duck: Male Head Color. Mallard: The male Mallard boasts a stunning and easily recognizable glossy green head. This iridescent feature is a hallmark of the species and often draws attention.
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- Mottled Duck vs Mallard: Size
- Mottled Duck vs Mallard: Color
- Mottled Duck vs Mallard: Feeding
- Mottled Duck vs Mallard: Migratory Behavior
- Mottled Duck vs Mallard: Breeding Habitat
- Mottled Duck vs Mallard: Clutch Size
- Mottled Duck vs Mallard: Life Span
Adult mottled ducks measure approximately 17-24 inches (43 to 61 cm) long from head to tail. Among standard measurements, male mottled ducks have a wingspan of about 32.7-34.3 inches (83-87 cm), while that of females is between 31.5-32.7 inches (80-83 cm). They weigh 2.25 pounds (1.02 kg) on average. Male mottled ducks weigh between 1.94-2.73 pound...
Both male and female mottled ducks have a distinct shiny green-blue speculum (wing patch), which lacks a white border, unlike in mallards. Mallard’s speculum feathers are purple-blue and edged with white. The white border is more prominent when the birdis in flight or at rest, though it sheds the feathers temporarily during the annual summer molt.
Mallards are very flexible regarding their food choice; their diet varies depending on several factors, including nutrient availability and stage of the breeding cycle. Both species feed by dabbling in shallow water and grazing on land. However, mottled ducks eat plants and occasionally feed on insectsand mollusks. Mallards’ diet consists mainly of...
Mottled ducks are resident all year round and hardly migrate compared to mallards. The mottled duck is one of the only dabbling ducks in the United States that is non-migratory. Mallards are usually referred to as residents or medium-distance migrants. Mallards occur year-round across most parts of the United States. Most mallards that breed across...
Mottled ducks prefer breeding in coastal marshes. Both sexes fly low over vegetation in search of a suitable nesting site. Females select the best location, which is usually not far from water, often at the base of a bull-rush or marsh grass. Mottled ducks build their nests on the ground or vegetation less than 3 feet from ground level. The nest is...
Mottled ducks raise one brood each year. Female mottled ducks lay between 8–12 eggs per clutch. The eggs are creamy and greenish-white and are incubated for about 25 to 27 days. The ducklings are moved to water within 24 to 48 hours and can fly at 60 to 70 days of age. Mallards raise one to two broods each year. Female mallards lay between 8–13 cre...
Mallards have an average lifespan of 5–10 years in the wild, but that’s just a static record; your mallard may live more than ten years. Mottled ducks live for 2–5 years in the wild. The oldest reported mottled duck was at least 13 years, seven months old when it was shot in Florida.
Along the Gulf of Mexico coast lives a rich brown duck with a lovely buff head and neck, a bright yellow bill, and a distinctive black spot at the gape. It’s reminiscent of a female Mallard or an American Black Duck, but this is the closely related Mottled Duck.
Jan 3, 2015 · In short. Female Mallards, Mottled and American Black Ducks are similar in appearance. Mottled Duck tends to be darker than the Mallard and lighter than the Black Duck. The ranges of the Mottled Duck (southern U.S.) and the American Black Duck do not overlap. Both species will cross with Mallards.
Nov 11, 2023 · Mottled ducks and mallards are two types of ducks that can often be confused with one another due to their similar appearances. However, there are some key differences between mottled ducks and mallards that can help birdwatchers and hunters distinguish between the two.
At a Glance. A close relative of the Mallard, the Mottled Duck is the only dabbling duck specialized for nesting in southern marshes, far to the south of most of its relatives. Unlike most waterfowl, Mottled Ducks are almost never seen in large flocks, generally traveling in pairs or small groups.
Along the Gulf of Mexico coast lives a rich brown duck with a lovely buff head and neck, a bright yellow bill, and a distinctive black spot at the gape. It’s reminiscent of a female Mallard or an American Black Duck, but this is the closely related Mottled Duck.
