Mallards are dabbling ducks that are found throughout North America. Flocks can often be seen in City parks in Kamloops, even in winter. This group was spotted on McArthur Island.

Many mallards migrate south in the late fall, but in milder winters, some couples (pair bonds) will overstay in our area. They are very adaptable to eating both natural and domestic foods, mostly plants, grains, and seeds.

In spring, mallards are one of the first ducks to return to breeding grounds in the spring, often arriving in February and March. They find wetlands and begin their nesting activity by April. The first ducklings will appear late in May and stick with their mother for about two months. Ducks fatten up over the summer to build a layer of fat for overwintering. By late summer, mallards move to larger lakes and wetlands and begin the courting process.

In fall, migration or moving to overwintering spots begins again.

Male mallards are easy to identify, with their green heads, yellow bills, and noisy quacks. The females are a mottled-brown color and have blue wing patches, orange-brown bills, and orange feet.

• Mallard quacks