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studies have concluded that female Mallards will use this repetitive quack' during the breeding season when they are getting ready to nest. Outside of the breeding season it is most likely to be used to warn of ground predators approaching their nest.

In addition, I have found another way to identify Mallards is by the whistling sound their wings make in flight.

Behaviour

Social Groupings

Mallards usually congregate in small flocks and are never far away from water, which is where they feel safest (Owen & Black, 1990). If alerted both the Male and Female can raise straight out of the water almost vertically, where upon the group becomes known as a Sord' of Mallards in zoological terms (Mullarney et al, 1999).

On the ground the birds are less comfortable due to their legs being well set back on their bodies which while perfect for swimming, gives them their distinctive waddling' gait and awkward posture.

Once in flight or a Sord, a female will often take the lead, usually pursued by two males (Burton, 1981) in a prelude to courtship.
In the water, this takes the form of the Drake dipping his bill into the water and tossing it into the air, covering the female with water (Holden & Cleeves, 2002).

Mallards are very often tame, having discerned the link between humans and food and can often be seen in urban parks and village ponds, where they will readily except bread or other food from humans.

Males and Females will remain together in a breeding pair for the duration of winter and spring where after it is common for them to become promiscuous and have multiple partners (Holden & Cleeves, 2002).

Feeding

Mallards are omnivores and will eat almost anything in mud, soil or water given the opportunity, including invertebrates and all manner of plant matter. However, Mallards are known for being dabbling ducks' along with other species such as Teal (Anas crecca) and Gadwall (Anas strepera), and use their bills to sift through the water to pick up seeds and grain.

Particular staples of a their diet include Rumex (Docks), Ranunculus (Buttercup) and Persicarias (Knotweed) seed species.

They will also take larvae of various beetles and caddis larvae as well as small fish including Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) when given the opportunity. According to Burton (1981) Mallards have also been known to feed on small mammals and birds, although this is only in times of food shortages.

Food of any description enters the Crop (equivalent to a oesophagus) and is swallowed along with small

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