Mallard duckling

Mallard duckling

This Mallard duckling seemed to have no fear of humans. It was part of a large group of adults and juveniles at a lake in Surrey. Mallards lay up to thirteen eggs and a good number of these hatch. There seems to be a high risk of predation in my local area possibly because of the presence of a large number of herons as well as some aggressive fish.

Country: UK
Location: Thursley Common
Family: Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae)
Species: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Date taken: 27/06/2013