Many people often mistake Rouen ducklings for Mallards due to their similar appearance. Although they belong to the same duck family, they are distinct species. In this article, we will provide detailed information about the Rouen duckling and Mallard, comparing both duck breeds. They differ noticeably in color and size, though their dietary habits are quite similar due to belonging to the same family. Furthermore, we will explain what makes a good pet. This article is perfect for you if you are curious to read the comparison of these birds.
A Little About Rouen Duckling
Rouen ducklings are a popular breed of domestic ducks, primarily raised for meat and eggs. They are a large and heavy breed that weighs up to 10 pounds when fully grown.
Rouen ducklings have distinct coloring similar to wild Mallards, featuring yellow down with dark brown stripes. Young Rouen ducklings feature yellow down with dark brown stripes on their back and a lighter underside.
As they grow, their plumage gradually becomes darker and more iridescent, developing into the rich green and deep chestnut colors characteristic of adult Rouen ducks. Rouen ducklings are hardy and adaptable, making them ideal for backyard farmers and homesteaders. Most people ask, “Can Rouen ducks fly?” For them, these ducks cannot fly because of their weight, but they are good at running and jumping, which helps them escape from predators.
Mallards Duck
The Mallard is a widespread and famous duck species throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This duck’s size is medium, and the males have a bright color compared to the females. The drakes have a glossy green head, a white collar, a chestnut-brown chest, and greyish-blue wings.
The hens (female Mallards) are less colorful, with mottled brown and beige plumage that provides camouflage during nesting. Mallards are common in many urban and suburban parks. It is because they can often swim in ponds or shuffle around on the grass.
They are also popular with hunters, who pursue them for their meat and feathers. Despite being common, mallards are still fascinating birds with complex social behaviors and exciting adaptations for survival in various habitats.
A General Difference Between Rouen Duckling & Mallard
Because both birds have similar plumage, they are often mistaken for each other, but in reality, they are different. To recognize them by their faces, check the stripes. If there is a single stripe at the beginning, it is a mallard.
On the other hand, dual lines on the front ensure that it is a Rouen duckling. Another way to recognize them is to check their weight. A Rouen duckling is a heavy bird weighing 3 to 4 kilograms, while a Mallard is just 0.7 to 1.6 kilograms on average.
Another significant difference between the Rouen duckling and the mallard is their temperament. The mallard is very aggressive, while the Rouen duckling has a docile nature.
Origin Difference
The Rouen duck first appeared in France before the 19th century. In its original French form, the Rouen duck resembled a Mallard but was slightly larger. People tamed it as a roaming bird, mostly. D.W. Lincoln of Worcester, Massachusetts, brought the first Rouen ducks to the United States in 1850.
Before their popularity as display birds, they were utilized as common farm ducks. In several locations worldwide, they are currently being bred in captivity.
The name “mallard,” originating from the Old French word “malart” or “mallart,” originally applied to any wild drake. Most of North America, Europe, and Asia are home to the mallard duck.
Carl Linnaeus first described several bird species in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae, published in 1758. Several nations, including South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Peru, New Zealand, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands, have received mallard introductions.
Differences in Lifespan
Comparing the lifespan of Rouen Ducklings and mallards, it relies on the environment and the number of predators near them. Mallards typically live 5 to 10 years depending on their environment, while Rouen ducks live slightly longer, averaging 7 to 12 years.
Appearance Difference in Rouen Duck & Mallard
The Rouen duckling and Mallard both have virtually identical plumage colors. Female Rouen ducks have substantially deeper brown plumage than the mallards do, though. Compared to Mallards, Rouen ducks also have longer and more colorful speculum feathers.
While Rouen ducklings have two stripes running across their faces right under the eye, mallard ducklings have only one stripe, despite their similar plumage colors. In the eyes of mallard ducklings, there is just one stripe.
Mallards are lighter than Rouen ducks. Rouen ducks raised for food typically weigh 6 to 8 pounds (2.7 to 3.6 kg), while standard-bred Rouen ducks can weigh up to 12 pounds (5.4 kg). Mallards are medium-sized ducks that weigh between 1.5 and 3.5 pounds (0.7 to 1.6 kg).
The physical shapes of the two species also differ significantly. Mallards have shorter necks due to their rounder chests, while Rouen ducks appear to have longer necks because of their downward-facing chests.
Rouen Duck Eggs Color VS Mallard Egg Color
Mallard eggs are a different hue from Rouen duck eggs. The color of Rouen duck eggs, which distinguishes them from mallard eggs, reflects their exquisite plumage. is much different from that of mallard eggs. Rouen duck eggs are larger and have a creamy white to light tan shell color, while Mallard eggs are pale green or bluish-green, while Rouen eggs are creamy white to light tan, reflecting their genetic differences. Both the beautiful creaminess of Rouen duck eggs and the vivid green of mallard eggs are examples of the diversity and magnificence of the avian world.
Additionally, these ducks enjoy living with humans. If we talk about mallards, they are very aggressive and do not believe in humans easily comparatively. These birds are challenging to approach, and people keep them as pets because of their stunning plumage. Otherwise, these birds could be better to pet. Besides human choice, mallards prefer living in the wild rather than in captivity.
The Diet of These Specific Birds
The feeding habits of these birds are similar, as they are omnivores and have flexible eating preferences. Rouen ducks primarily eat aquatic creatures, plant materials, seeds, snails, crabs, tiny fish, larvae, and pupae. However, most mallard food comprises seeds, plant matter, gastropods, crustaceans, insects, and worms.
Conclusion
The Mallard and Rouen ducks are two separate species that differ significantly in appearance, behavior, and domestication. While Rouen ducks are domesticated and resemble Mallard ducks in formation, they are bigger and have darker plumage. Wild Mallard ducks have mottled brown coats and distinguishing green heads. While mallard ducks protect themselves in many areas because of their position as game birds. People raise Rouen ducks primarily for meat production. Also, compared to their wild counterparts, Rouen ducks are often calmer and more docile. Both species, despite their differences, are cherished for their beauty and distinctive traits and are crucial to our ecology.
FAQs
Are Rouen and mallard ducks the same?
No, Rouen ducks and Mallard ducks are different breeds of domestic ducks. Rouen ducks are larger and have distinct plumage patterns compared to Mallard ducks.
Do Rouen ducks fly?
No, because of their big size and thick bodies, Rouen ducks are often too heavy to fly. They are mostly domestic ducks that are valued for their decorative value and are better adapted for strolling and swimming.
What is the difference between a drake and a female duck?
In contrast to a duck, which refers to a female duck, a drake is a male duck. Physical traits including height, color, and voice are the main physical distinctions between them. Ducks are often smaller and have less showy coloration than drakes, which are also more colorful and frequently have a characteristic quack sound.
How many eggs do they lay in a clutch?
Both ducks lay a different number of eggs in a clutch. Mallards lay 8 to 13 eggs, while Rouen ducks lay 35 to 50 eggs per clutch. Once they get free from laying eggs, the difference that makes them change from each other is that Mallards take less time to reach sexual maturity than Rouen ducks.
Female mallards may take about seven to ten months to produce eggs. As a youngster, mallard’s development is relatively swift. Mallards reach sexual maturity between five and nine months.
Are both of these domesticated birds?
There is a significant difference between the domestication natures of both these ducks. As we have already mentioned, people keep Rouen ducks for their friendly nature and for various reasons, such as obtaining their eggs and meat.
Which is easy to pet Rouen ducklings male or female?
Rouen ducklings can be petted with relative ease regardless of their gender in most cases. A duckling’s temperament and level of socialization, more than its gender, will determine how easily it can be handled and caressed.
