Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos (Linnaeus, 1758)

		male female adult male in summer plumage
2015-04-16 Irkitsk, Baikal reg. 2015-04-16 Irkitsk, Baikal reg.2021-08-01 Irkutsk	© Vadim Ivushkin © Vadim Ivushkin© Igor Fefelov

Distribution

Breeds in all Siberia, north to forest-tundra and southern tundra.

Biology

Common breeding migrant. Inhabits fresh or salty lakes, rivers and also small streams both on plains and in mountains up to 2200 m in Western Tien Shan, and 1500-1800 m in Altai. Arrives very early in spring, when first thawed patches of earth appear (end of March - early April). Migration occurs in pairs or small separate flocks, but mostly with other ducks. Nest is built under grass, bushes, among reeds and in old Crow nests in trees. It is constructed from grass stems and lined with down which is plentiful close to hatching. Clutches of 5-11 eggs mostly in April – May, probably repeat clutches recorded in early – late June. Juveniles observed from mid-May onwards, mainly June – July, and in July – August birds begin to fly. After females begin incubation, males gather in flocks and disperse to moult on shallow lakes with reed-beds. Autumn migration begins end August, but in most areas in October - November, before open water freezes. Many birds spend winter on water pools of Southern Siberia, especially on rivers near damps of hydroelectric stations.

References

В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Сибири". Москва-Екатеринбург, Изд-во "Кабинетный ученый", 2014