022 Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
Identification
50-60 cm. The Mallard is very common and the most familiar of all the ducks. It has a pale brown body, brown breast and white neck-ring. The male Mallard has glossy green head, yellow bill and blue hindwings. This wing patch can be observed easily and very characteristic for the Mallard. The male Mallard has curly tail.
Description
In Hungary it is very common breeder on almost any wetlands. However the population has been decreasing during the past few years. Common migrant from February until April in Springs. Large flocks of northern populations occur on passage during the autumn migration (August - late November). Common winter visitor to unfrozen waters.
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Source: 1) Lovászi Péter (editor): Javasolt különleges madárvédelmi területek Magyarországon, Magyar Madártani és Természetvédelmi Egyesület, 2002; 2) BirdLife International:IUCN Red List for birds. Species factsheet; 3) Králl Attila, Nagy Károly: Fontos Madárélőhelyek Magyarországon (Területek, kritériumok és minősítő fajok) MME Monitoring Központ, 2007; 4) Szabolcs Kókay bird illustrations; 5) www.hungarianbirdwatching.com bird descriptions and checklists, 2004-2012; 6) Lars Svensson et al.: Collins Bird Guide: The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe 2nd Edition, Harper Collins, 2010; 7) MME Nomenclator Bizottság: Nomenclator avium Hungariae. An annotated list of the birds of Hungary. Magyar Madártani és Természetvédelmi Egyesület, 2008