I have also heard drake mallards whistle, usually while accompanying
females. This may be a part of their courtship display, especially if you
noticed splashing and other activity with the birds.

Jeff Kozma

Yakima, WA


----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Phillips" <sweetmem at juno.com>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 10:43 AM
Subject: [Tweeters] Mallards


> I need your help again Tweeters-
> I was at Wallace Swamp Creek Park and I heard an unfamiliar whistle. I
> was near the pond at the time and there were 10 mallards in the pond. The
> high pitched whistle seemed to be coming from the other side of the pond
> so I walked over there, then the sound seemed to come from where I had
> just been. I couldn't see any other birds around except the mallards and
> the periodic whistle continued. I concluded that the mallards must be
> whistling. As I watched them it was hard to tell if they were or not but
> each time I heard the whistle they splashed around. Perhaps it was an
> unseen predator and they were showing their anxiety. any interpretations
> of this scene would be appreciated.
> Linda Phillips
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