top of page
Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Anas platyrhynchos
Mallard (male). Greek: πρασινοκέφαλη πάπια (αρσενική). Apolakia reservoir, April 2002.
Passage migrant, uncommon. Length 50-65 cm, wingspan 81-98 cm. Male predominantly grey-brown with brown chest and glossy bottle-green head, female speckled brown overall, both sexes with iridescent blue wing feathers. Main ancestor of domestic ducks. Ponds, reservoirs, river mouths, bays. Omnivorous, feeds primarily on water vegetation, insects, worms, crustaceans. Forages by dabbling, skimming in shallow fresh, brackish and salt water, occasionally grazes on land. Rises with ease from water.
bottom of page