Description

The male Mallard is the widely recognized “green-headed” duck. It is a common bird even in the waterways of Anchorage. Male Mallards have a striking, dark green head that’s iridescent in light with a yellow bill. The belly is gray, but the wings and back are different shades of brown accompanied by a black tail. The females are a mix of browns with an orange-tipped brown bill. Both males and females have a bright blue speculum bordered by white, and a white tail.

Habitat and Status

The Mallard is a common resident of the Chugach Region, occurring as an abundant migrant, a common breeder, and a common winter visitor. While not as abundant as some of the other dabbling ducks, Mallards are more regularly encountered in a wider range of habitats than any of the others. They nest on the ground on dry land that is close to water, where their nests are mostly concealed under overhanging grass or other vegetation. Audubon’s climate modeling suggests the winter range will remain mostly intact and so they should continue to do well in the Chugach Region. However, by 2080, the breeding range is expected to shift so far northward that Mallards will no longer nest in the Lower 48.

Mallards are widely distributed throughout the Chugach Region, particularly during the winter.

Traditional Use

Mallards are among the most popular waterfowl harvested by Alutiiq hunters. Scoters are a favorite for duck soup, but Mallards are preferred for roasting. However, hunters avoid taking Mallards in the early fall as their meat can taste bitter from eating fish eggs. Similarly, Mallards are less popular in late winter when their fat reserves are depleted. Elders also caution people to not eat Mallards while taking certain plant medicines as their meat can interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment (Alutiiq Museum).

Traditional Song and Dance

The videos below provide meaningful insight into the enduring cultural significance of the mallard across generations.