Mallards are a common duck species found across many habitats. Their diet is diverse, allowing them to thrive in various environments, from wetlands to urban parks. Their diet changes based on what is available. This adaptability contributes to their widespread success.
Natural Food Sources
Mallards are omnivores, eating both plant and animal matter. Plant-based foods are a substantial portion of their diet, especially aquatic vegetation. They consume leaves, stems, and roots of submerged and emergent plants in ponds, lakes, and marshes.
Seeds are an important plant component, gathered from grasses, weeds, and agricultural crops like corn, wheat, barley, and rice. Mallards also eat berries and acorns when available. These plant materials provide carbohydrates and fiber for energy.
Beyond plants, mallards consume animal-based foods, especially invertebrates. They are opportunistic feeders, preying on aquatic insects, their larvae, or nymphs in wetlands. Snails, slugs, earthworms, and other arthropods are common, providing protein.
Small crustaceans supplement their diet, especially in brackish or coastal areas. While less common, small fish or tadpoles may be consumed if encountered. This mixed diet ensures they receive diverse nutrients.
How Mallards Forage
Mallards use several methods to find food. One characteristic behavior is “dabbling” or “tipping.” They submerge their head and neck, tail often pointing upwards, to reach submerged vegetation and invertebrates in shallow waters.
They filter water through specialized lamellae on their bills, straining out small seeds, algae, and invertebrates. On land, mallards graze, pecking at grass, seeds, and insects in fields or lawns. They can also dive shallowly for short periods to access plant roots or other food sources deeper underwater.
Dietary Changes Throughout the Year
Mallard diets adapt to changing seasons and biological needs. During spring and early summer, the breeding season, protein demand increases. They consume more protein-rich foods like insects, larvae, and other invertebrates.
Abundant fresh aquatic vegetation also contributes to their diet during warmer months. As summer progresses, ducklings require a protein-rich diet for growth. This seasonal shift supports reproduction and rearing young.
In autumn and winter, as insect availability decreases and temperatures drop, mallards shift towards energy-rich foods. They consume larger quantities of seeds, grains, and tubers to build fat reserves. These reserves are essential for insulation and fuel for migratory flights.
What Not to Feed Mallards
While many feed mallards, certain human foods are harmful. Items like white bread, crackers, chips, popcorn, and other processed foods offer little nutritional value. Feeding them can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
A concern is “angel wing,” where a wing joint develops abnormally, twisting outwards. This condition links to diets high in carbohydrates and low in essential vitamins and minerals, often seen in young birds fed processed foods. Beyond direct harm, feeding ducks can attract pests and pollute waterways with uneaten food.
It can also lead to overcrowding, increasing disease transmission among bird populations. To promote responsible interaction, avoid feeding wild ducks entirely. If feeding is unavoidable, small amounts of defrosted frozen peas, corn, or specialized commercial duck food are more suitable.