Anas platyrhynchos · Irish: Lacha (Fhiáin)

Ireland's commonest duck, at home on ponds, lakes and rivers everywhere.

Habitat: Ponds, lakes, rivers, canals — even city-centre waterways. | Season: All year

Identification

• Male: glossy green head, yellow bill, chestnut breast
• Female: mottled brown with an orange-and-black bill

Behaviour

Dabbles at the surface and up-ends to reach underwater plants; readily approaches visitors, though grain or peas are healthier than bread.

Did you know?

Almost every breed of domestic duck in the world is descended from the wild Mallard, first domesticated for meat and eggs thousands of years ago.

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