What Do Mallards Eat?

The mallard can be found in many places around the northern hemisphere and they are known to be the most abundant duck on the planet. These birds will be found in wetland areas, and enjoy almost any body of water. The mallard has been transported away from their native demographics to areas around the world, and because of their simple diet and adjustable feeding habits has been able to survive.

  1. Eating on Shore

    • Mallards are primarily vegetarians. They will feed on different leaves, seeds, berries, willows, corn, oak, primrose, hackberry, wild rice, acorns and other grains or aquatic vegetation that they can find when they are walking or swimming along the shorelines, or in the different areas that they are traveling.

    Eating in the Water

    • The mallard will eat many insects and aquatic invertebrates that they can find when they are swimming in the water. This includes frogs, larvae, small fish, tadpoles, freshwater snails and worms. This duck doesn't usually hunt much under the water, and is rarely seen diving into the water. Instead they prefer to swim and skim the surface to find food.

    Human Food

    • Although people will feed ducks at parks and ponds things like bread or crackers, it is best that mallards don't eat any human food. This can cause their internal organs to bloat and become engorged. It can also be fatal for the duck along with causing many different health conditions.

    Eating on the Go

    • When mallards are migrating or in flight they can easily stop at any type of pond, marsh, river or any body of water to find food. Even in marshes they are able to dig in the mud to find fish eggs and other food. They will use their bill as a filtration system, similar to a whales when they must find food in deep waters.