Anas platyrhynchos
Ponds and park lakes across the continent. Small webbed track, about 2 to 2.5 inches.
What does a mallard look like?
Male has a green head and chestnut chest. Female is mottled brown with an orange and black bill.
What do mallard tracks look like?
A small webbed print. Smaller than a goose and usually right at the water.
- Small webbed track, about 2 to 2.5 inches
- Three toes with webbing
- Trail from water onto a bank
- Droppings are small dark coils near the shore
- Green head on the male if seen
What does mallard poop look like?
Small dark squirts or coils on docks and banks. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Ponds and park lakes across the continent. Typical places: wetland, yard. Year-round where water stays open.
What to do next
- Do not feed bread
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Canada goose identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
What do duck tracks look like?
Small webbed prints, about 2 inches, three toes, at the edge of a pond.
How to tell a mallard from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Canada goose. Webbed, pigeon-toed, in a line from water to grass. Brown goose, black neck, white cheek patch.
Mallard field marks
- Small webbed track, about 2 to 2.5 inches
- Three toes with webbing
- Trail from water onto a bank
- Droppings are small dark coils near the shore
Where the sign shows up
Ponds and park lakes across the continent. Typical places: wetland, yard. Year-round where water stays open.
A small webbed print. Smaller than a goose and usually right at the water. Small dark squirts or coils on docks and banks.
Common questions
What do duck tracks look like?
Small webbed prints, about 2 inches, three toes, at the edge of a pond.