Canada Goose 



Harry Engels 



MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) 



This wide-ranging species is probably the most familiar of all wild ducks. 

 Mallards are surface-feeding fresh-water ducks which feed primarily on 

 water plants, snails, seeds, grasshoppers, wild rice, and mosquito larvae. 

 A hardy species, the greenhead remains in Yellowstone and Grand Teton 

 in moderate numbers throughout the winter. An active, wary, noisy duck, 

 the mallard constructs a simple down-lined nest among the reeds and 

 grasses along a stream, lake, or pond edge where the female lays 8 to 15 

 greenish-buff eggs. The female cares for the eggs and raises the young. 

 Shortly after breeding season the male, or drake, undergoes a complete 

 molt, becomes flightless for a time, and acquires a protective eclipse 

 plumage almost identical to that of the female. Mallards are abundant 

 breeding birds in aquatic environments in both parks. 



Green-winged Teal 



C. Allan Morgan 



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