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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

Franciscan monk  

Did You Know?
In 1776, Father Pedro Font wrote, "The port of San Francisco...is a marvel of nature, and might well be called a harbor of harbors...And I think if it could be well settled like Europe there would not be anything more beautiful in all the world."

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