While the mallard might seem common to us, in several ways it can be considered special among waterfowl. They are the most widespread duck in the world, naturally occurring in North and Central America, Eurasia and North Africa. They have been introduced in such places as Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, several South America countries and in South Africa. While a handful of other species — northern pintail, gadwall, northern shoveler — also can be found across the northern hemisphere, none boast the numbers and reach of the mallard population, according to several online sources. Still, mallard numbers have remained relatively steady from 1966 to 2019, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 22, 2024 06:38 UTC