Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Mallard is the most familiar duck in the world — the ancestor of most domestic ducks. Despite its familiarity, the drake in breeding plumage is a genuinely handsome bird: iridescent bottle-green head, yellow bill, chestnut breast and curled tail feathers. On the Sefton Coast, Mallards are present year-round on any open water from Marshside lagoons to dune slack pools. They're amber-listed in the UK due to declines in breeding populations, despite remaining common.
At a Glance
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Habitat | Freshwater lagoon · Dune slack pond · Coastal marsh · Estuary edge |
| Diet | Seeds, aquatic vegetation, invertebrates, small fish — opportunistic omnivore |
| UK population | Around 700,000 breeding pairs; winter numbers greatly boosted by continental birds |
| Sefton Coast | Common resident and winter visitor throughout the Sefton Coast wetlands |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Marshside RSPB lagoons, dune slacks with open water, any freshwater on the Sefton Coast.
Identification
Drake: green head, yellow bill, chestnut breast, grey body, white collar, curled black tail. Duck: mottled brown with orange-sided bill. Purple speculum on wing in both sexes.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Any open water on the Sefton Coast will have Mallards. Dune slack pools at Ainsdale in spring often have breeding pairs.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Mallard amber-listed when it seems so common?
Despite remaining abundant, UK breeding Mallard populations have declined by around 30% since the 1970s, driven by wetland drainage, predation pressure and reduced water quality. The UK amber listing reflects this trend even though the overall population remains very large.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.