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Mass Audubon State of the Birds

Find a Bird

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos

Many Mallards in Massachusetts no doubt descend from released live decoy birds. Today, they've made homes for themselves in park ponds and other freshwater wetlands throughout the state. The Mallard is nearly ubiquitous as a breeder in the Commonwealth.
Conservation Status
No Action: Likely Increase

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Least Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.52
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.50
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
-0.02
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
-9.00
National Audubon Societyb
Climate Endangered
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
531
Atlas II Blocks
881
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
54
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
84
Percent change
148

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
3.1%
P-value
significant, increasing
Number of routes
24
Recent trend 2000-2010
3.7%

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
5
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1963-1979)
13
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1979-2008)
2
Significantly different than zero
yes
Christmas Bird Count Sightings By Year
Data reflects sightings per person per hour in order to account for varying numbers of yearly volunteers.

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Forested Wetland, Open Freshwater Marsh, Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds, Urban and Suburban

Wintering

Coastal, Open Freshwater Marsh, Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds, Saltmarsh, Urban and Suburban

Climate Suitability Current and 2050