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Presidio of San FranciscoView of Alcatraz from near Golden Gate Club on the Main Post
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Presidio of San Francisco
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
 
Mallard ducks
Will Elder, NPS
Male Mallards swim on Mountain Lake.
 

Natural History: This aquatic species feeds mostly on plant material. It rarely dives and tends to hide in dense, emergent vegetation. It is a monogamous species that tends to nest in hollows among reeds or grass from March to July.

General Distribution: The Mallard is found in ponds, streams, bay areas, marshes, and tidal rocky areas, where they breed.

Frequency: This animal is found abundantly during the winter, spring, and summer months.

Identifying Characteristics: This species has different identifying features between the males and females. The males show a glossy, green head and narrow white collar. They have a yellowish bill and orange feet. The females can be noted by a mottled brown with whitish tail. The females tend to emit loud quacks.

Presidio Birds main page

Grave marker in the Presidio pet cemetery  

Did You Know?
Though the majority of animals buried in the Presidio pet cemetery are dogs and cats, there are also parakeets, canaries, pigeons, macaws, rabbits, hamsters, rats, lizards, goldfish, and mice.

Last Updated: February 23, 2008 at 16:08 EST