Missouri Conservationist online

Nov. 2001 - Vol. 62, No. 11

Passing Through

Mallard ducks are one of many species of waterfowl that pass through Missouri each year. Mallards are hardy ducks. As long as food and open water are available, they seem able to withstand extreme cold. Mallards migrate south later than most other waterfowl and are one of the first species to head north in the spring. Wild mallards are the ancestors of all but one species (Muscovy) of domestic duck.