Mallard

Mallards have a varied diet, primarily consisting of plant matter such as seeds, stems, and leaves of aquatic vegetation. They also consume insects, worms, snails, and small fish.

In urban areas, they often supplement their diet with bread and other food provided by humans, though this is not recommended.

Mallards find their food on dry land, the water's surface, and below by tipping their bodies and reaching down to the bottom.

Mallards are highly adaptable and social ducks, often seen in large flocks. They are dabbling ducks, tipping forward in the water to feed on submerged vegetation.

On land, they waddle with a characteristic head-bobbing motion. Mallards are known for their ability to take off almost vertically from water.

The Mallard's vocalizations are distinct and varied. Females produce the familiar loud, repetitive 'decrescendo' 'quack-quack-quack' call, consisting of two to ten rising and then falling quacking notes. This call can be heard over long distances.

Males have a softer, raspy call, often described as a low 'reeb-reeb' sound. During courtship, males also make a high-pitched whistle.