ON THE WILD SIDE Why we all luv-a-duck
● THE Victorians knew these comical creatures simply as the “wild duck”, and they are the most common, most widespread species in the world. They are probably what you are thinking of right now just hearing the word duck. That’s right, the mallard.
The ancestor of many of our domestic breeds, the mallard is a very adaptable duck that’s just as happy out in the wild as in a pond (and it’s delicious with some plum sauce). Every year, mallards shed their feathers to grow a new set, but unlike most other birds, ducks shed all their flight feathers in one go, leaving them unable to fly anywhere for up to two months. I suppose when you spend most of your life bobbing around on a lake this wouldn’t be TOO much of a problem. Ducks do have one thing to be proud of, and the mallard is no exception. Males are blessed with exceptionally large, corkscrewshaped willies. They use them to father anywhere between nine and 18 offspring. Phew! But as soon as the mother lays her eggs, the male leaves and doesn’t help…what a rotter! Thankfully, mum doesn’t have to feed all those hungry mouths. Once they hatch, ducklings are capable of finding their own food straight away – exclusively insects until they grow up. They are vegetarians as adults. The ducklings are very, very resilient and will jump from wherever their nest is to follow their mother, even from the top of a building.
If you are planning on feeding the ducks at your local park, don’t take bread. The ducks may eat it but it isn’t good for them and it can attract nastier critters like rats and seagulls who will be just as happy to scoff the ducklings. Take bird seed instead! It is healthier, gulls can’t get it, and you can watch them bob for it.
Few wild duck species are as friendly as the mallard, so make the most of this attribute and get a close look.