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Are There Mallards in Arkansas?

Yes, mallards are very common in Arkansas year-round, with populations peaking dramatically during fall and winter migration. The state's abundant lakes, rivers, and Mississippi River floodplain wetlands provide ideal habitat for mallards passing through or wintering. Arkansas supports some of the largest mallard concentrations in North America.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.

Mallard photographed in Arkansas

Mallard · shzimmer CC BY

Domestic Mallard photographed in Arkansas

Domestic Mallard · Public domain CC0

Domestic Mallard photographed in Arkansas

Domestic Mallard · Joseph McPhail CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Found in Arkansas
1
species recorded
144,418
GBIF records
6
birding hotspots
April, March, May
peak months

Yes, mallards are in Arkansas. Next you'll want:

Real sighting data, source iNaturalist

955 verified observations on iNaturalist of mallard have been recorded in Arkansas, most often in April, March, May.

When mallard are recorded in Arkansas

Yes, mallards are very common in Arkansas year-round, with populations peaking dramatically during fall and winter migration. The state's abundant lakes, rivers, and Mississippi River floodplain wetlands provide ideal habitat for mallards passing through or wintering. Arkansas supports some of the largest mallard concentrations in North America.

Where Mallards Live in Arkansas

Mallards are found throughout Arkansas in freshwater lakes, rivers, and extensive wetland systems. The Mississippi River floodplain in eastern Arkansas creates vast habitat across oxbow lakes, agricultural wetlands, and backwater sloughs. The Arkansas River running through central Arkansas supports year-round mallard populations from the Oklahoma border to its confluence with the Mississippi. Major reservoirs including Lake Ouachita, Beaver Lake, and Greers Ferry Lake provide excellent habitat across the state. The White River drainage in northern and eastern Arkansas provides extensive mallard habitat through connected channel systems and tributary valleys. The lower Mississippi River and White River confluence in southeastern Arkansas creates particularly productive wintering grounds for mallards. Cache River, one of the state's most important wetland systems, supports exceptionally large mallard concentrations. Agricultural areas throughout Arkansas, particularly in the Grand Prairie and Mississippi River Delta regions, provide seasonal habitat through flooded rice fields and managed wetlands. Visit theArkansas wildlife hubto learn about other waterfowl species.

Seasonal Patterns in Arkansas

Arkansas experiences pronounced seasonal mallard dynamics tied to northern migration patterns. Some mallards remain year-round as residents on open water bodies and productive river systems. Spring from March to May brings breeding activity, with many birds establishing territories before northern migration resumes. Summer months from June through August show reduced mallard numbers as breeding populations return to northern nesting regions. Fall migration beginning in August and intensifying through November brings massive population increases as northern birds seek wintering grounds. Winter from December through February represents peak season, with mallard numbers sometimes exceeding hundreds of thousands across the state. The extensive flooded rice fields of eastern Arkansas, managed for waterfowl, attract enormous concentrations during winter months. Spring again sees populations beginning to depart northward in March and April. TheArkansas state wildlife pageprovides detailed seasonal information about waterfowl management.

Identifying Arkansas Mallards

Male mallards are unmistakable with glossy iridescent green heads, yellow bills, and white-ringed necks set above chestnut-brown chests. The body appears gray with distinctive black tail curl in the center. Females display cryptic brown and buff mottled plumage providing excellent camouflage near nesting sites. Female bills are orange-brown, and both sexes show bright orange feet. In flight, the white speculum wing patch bordered by dark feathers is clearly visible and diagnostic. Mallard vocalizations provide additional identification: females produce the loud, familiar quack descending in pitch, while males make much softer reedy sounds and whistles. Mallards float buoyantly on water with upright posture. Size averages 20-26 inches long with 32-40 inch wingspans. The dabbling feeding behavior, where birds tip forward to access shallow water foods, is characteristic and easily observed in Arkansas wetlands. Learn about duck identification on thewildlife hub.

Best Places to See Mallards in Arkansas

Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area in central Arkansas protects over 4,700 acres of mallard habitat with public access and viewing opportunities. Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Arkansas offers extensive wetland habitat and guided viewing of wintering mallard populations. Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Arkansas provides some of the state's most important mallard habitat with multiple public viewing areas. Lake Ouachita in west-central Arkansas, Arkansas's largest natural lake, supports abundant mallards accessible via numerous public parks and recreation areas. White River National Wildlife Refuge along the White River in eastern Arkansas protects extensive floodplain habitat with viewing opportunities. Beaver Lake in northern Arkansas provides scenic mallard viewing with multiple public access points. Agricultural wetlands throughout the Mississippi River Delta in eastern Arkansas, particularly in Craighead and Poinsett counties, host enormous winter populations. TheArkansas state wildlife pagelists specific locations with public access for mallard observation.

Mallard Diet and Behavior

Mallards are highly adaptable foragers consuming both plant and animal matter. In Arkansas wetlands, they feed by dabbling in shallow water to access aquatic vegetation including pondweeds, duckweeds, and wild rice seeds. Mallards also glean grain from agricultural fields, particularly in rice country where they consume waste rice and other crops. Aquatic invertebrates including insects, crustaceans, and small mollusks supplement their diet. Mallards are gregarious birds, often assembling in flocks numbering from dozens to thousands on large Arkansas lakes. Pair formation occurs in late fall and winter with males performing elaborate courtship displays. Females lay 8-12 eggs in ground nests concealed in marsh vegetation or tall grass near water. Ducklings fledge within 50-60 days of hatching. Mallards remain partially flightless during molt periods in late summer and early fall. Find detailed behavior information on thewildlife hub.

Safety and Legal Protections

Mallards are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with hunting heavily regulated in Arkansas. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission sets annual mallard hunting seasons and bag limits based on population surveys and breeding success. Waterfowl hunting is permitted during established seasons with specific gear restrictions and licensing requirements. Approaching mallards should be done quietly and from distance to minimize stress on birds. Keep domestic pets away from mallard concentrations, particularly during nesting season when birds are protective and vulnerable. Avoid disturbing nesting females, as abandonment can result in egg loss. Never feed mallards bread, which lacks nutritional value. Dispose of fishing gear properly, as abandoned line and hooks entangle waterfowl. Respect all posted hunting season closures and refuge regulations. Habitat protection through public land acquisition and management ensures sustainable mallard populations. Information about regulations and waterfowl stewardship appears on theArkansas wildlife hub.

Similar Species in Arkansas Waters

The American Black Duck resembles female mallards but displays darker overall plumage with darker bills. Male Black Ducks show iridescent green heads like mallards but retain much darker body plumage. The Mottled Duck, a southern relative, appears similar to female mallards but occurs rarely in Arkansas. Wood Ducks also inhabit Arkansas waters but males display elaborate crested heads and intricate multicolored plumage. Northern Pintails are dabbling ducks with elongated necks and more streamlined bodies than mallards. Gadwalls are gray dabbling ducks lacking the vibrant mallard male plumage. American Wigeons display distinctive head patterns in males but show different body proportions. Northern Shovelers possess large spatulate bills easily distinguished from mallard bills. Green-winged Teals are much smaller with compact bodies. Cinnamon Teals display rufous plumage in breeding males quite different from mallards. Thewildlife guidecontains detailed information about waterfowl species in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Mallards

Question: Why are there so many mallards in Arkansas during winter? Answer: Arkansas provides abundant food, mild winters, and extensive unfrozen water habitat that attracts millions of mallards migrating from frozen northern regions. Question: Can I hunt mallards in Arkansas? Answer: Yes, mallard hunting is permitted during established seasons, typically in fall and early winter, with specific bag limits and licensing requirements set by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Question: Do mallards breed in Arkansas? Answer: Some mallards breed in Arkansas, particularly northern populations, but most breeding occurs in northern states and Canadian prairies with birds wintering in Arkansas. Question: What is the best time to observe large mallard flocks? Answer: December through February provides peak populations, with particularly large concentrations visible in managed waterfowl areas and flooded rice fields of eastern Arkansas.

Plan your trip

Best time to see mallard in Arkansas: April, March, May

See the month-by-month sighting calendar.

When to go

Plan your mallard sighting in Arkansas

144,418 verified mallard records have been logged in Arkansas, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.

Where to look in Arkansas

Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).

Recent mallard sightings

  • Bald Knob NWR--Central Ag Fields · 2026-07-20 09:56
  • Camp Nine (Restricted) · 2026-07-20 06:31 · 2 seen
  • Beaverfork Lake · 2026-07-20 06:21 · 3 seen
  • Sunset Lake · 2026-07-20 06:15 · 3 seen
  • Bald Knob NWR--Gum Creek Crossing · 2026-07-19 17:12 · 6 seen

Planning a trip to see mallard? Find places to stay near Arkansas Post National Memorial on Booking.com.

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