Mallards were introduced to Australia and New Zealand from domestic and wild stock originating from both Europe and North America and it is now the commonest species of waterfowl in New Zealand. In Australia, wild-type birds are rare with the majority of birds being domesticated hybrids.
It is a very adaptable species, and readily takes up residency in urban areas such as village ponds and public parks. Probably because of this, it was easily domesticated and is the ancestral species of most domestic duck breeds present today.
After the breeding season is over, the males moult into a temporary female-like eclipse plumage. The drab plumage allows them to be less obtrusive during the period when the flight feathers are being replaced.
The Mallard is an aggressive species and in places where it has been introduced by man, it often hybridises with closely-related native species. In New Zealand it has cross-bred extensively with the native Pacific Duck and there are now very few areas where pure Pacific Ducks remain within New Zealand.
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