Best Time to See Mallards in Colorado
April, May and June is the best time to see mallards in Colorado. Based on 9,298 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mallards are most active across the year in Colorado.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
9,298 verified observations of mallards in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mallards are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
April
1,655 records (17.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 483 | 5.2% |
| February | 448 | 4.8% |
| March | 728 | 7.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,655 | 17.8% |
| Maypeak | 1,390 | 14.9% |
| Junepeak | 953 | 10.2% |
| July | 889 | 9.6% |
| August | 630 | 6.8% |
| September | 555 | 6% |
| October | 649 | 7% |
| November | 461 | 5% |
| December | 457 | 4.9% |
Mallards you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mallard | 9,298 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mallards are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mallards sit around 20 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 5°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 27°F | 3°F | 0.9" |
| Mar | 34°F | 9°F | 1.3" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 20°F | 1.1" |
| Maybest time | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Junbest time | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Jul | 76°F | 49°F | 2.5" |
| Aug | 75°F | 48°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 69°F | 41°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 54°F | 27°F | 0.8" |
| Nov | 40°F | 18°F | 0.6" |
| Dec | 30°F | 10°F | 0.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Colorado. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mallards in Colorado peak in April, when 1,655 of the year's 9,298 verified observations are logged — about 17.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is February, December and November, when mallards are hardest to find — February sees just 448 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mallards you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Mallard — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see mallards in Colorado
- Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park — National Park
- Colorado National Monument — National Monument
- Curecanti National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Dinosaur National Monument — National Monument
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mallards in Colorado?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 9,298 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mallards hardest to see in Colorado?+
February is the quietest month for mallards in Colorado, with only 448 verified records.
Are mallards active year-round in Colorado?+
Mallards are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Colorado