You can use it for research or reference. To access the current site visit current site.
The Mallard is the most abundant and widely distributed dabbling duck species in Canada, as well as the most extensively hunted duck species in the country. Mallards are most abundant in the Prairie Provinces but breed in habitats as diverse as the boreal forest and large Canadian cities. Mallard numbers declined in Canada during the 1980s because of the drought in the Prairies but recovered in the 1990s and have been increasing since 2007. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Mallards have shown increasing hybridization with Black Ducks as they have spread eastward and this may be one of the causes of the Black Duck decline. Because of this, the size of the Mallard population is considered an important factor in the management of the Black Duck. The harvest of Mallards in Canada has declined over time in parallel with the declining number of waterfowl hunters. Nevertheless, Mallards remain the most harvested duck species in Canada, representing more than 40% of the total ducks harvested.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.