The Mighty Mallard Review

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These birds are ever-present and often overlooked. But once I started watching them I found them to be wonderfully idiosyncratic and their group interactions make for very interesting viewing. Their population as a whole may not be threatened, but individually, they each face a challenging and continually shifting environment. It can be tough being a duck.

Posted: August 7, 2008

This female preens as early morning light glances off the water in Auckland, New Zealand.

At the Palace of Fine Arts lagoon a pair take to the air to evade a persistent male challenger.

Touching down on asphalt is tricky.

Tipping in to reach the bottom, a group dabbles in rhythm at the edge of the PFA lagoon.

Plopping in creates a momentary liquid crystal bowl.

A detail of those wonderful wings that disappear so completely when the birds are at rest.

A drake takes a vigorous bath.

Preening.

In McLaren Park, this placid Black Lab coasted along with this Mallard until the duck had had enough.

Preparing to depart from South Lake in Golden Gate Park.

Early evening sun illuminates a mallard as it dries its wings.

Feet just touching down as the bird lands with precision.

Drawing up a blanket of water while bathing.

Night at the PFA lagoon. The ducks relocate when spooked by a passing dog.

In the springtime males can be fiercely protective and highly territorial.

Courtship can be dramatic.

Drying her wings after a bath. I can't help but include photos of this repeated behaviour because having the wings spread really shows off the structure and beauty of the ducks.

Another perspective.

Take-off from water almost always involves a hard push off the surface of the water. Here the "wrist" of the wing is slammed down to propel the bird up.

Landing is often an elegant, sliding affair. Here the bird creates a trough as it slips into the water.

Another wing-drying shot.

And another.

Wrapped in wings over Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park.

A female prepares to land.

They go everywhere together. Once a pair is established they are often inseperable.

A close-up of that orange underwater propulsion system.

Hanging in the air - a male begins to lift his wings again while contemplating a turn to the left.

Bathing seems exhilarating. Some ducks seem downright compulsive about it.

Preening is also a constant chore. Feathers that function on land, in the water, and in the air, need to be kept in fine shape.

Life for the little ones is hazardous but they grow quickly while being tenaciously supervised by their mother.

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External Links

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Guide
John W. Wall's Blog
Bill Walker's Flickr Page
Lineatus on Great Horned Owls