Mallard

# Evolutionary Timeline of the Mallard The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck whose evolutionary history traces back to the broader diversification of waterfowl following the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. Key transitions include the rise of modern birds, specialization in aquatic environments, and adaptations to changing climates. Environmental pressures such as ice ages, habitat shifts, and predation drove their evolution from early avian ancestors to versatile, migratory birds. ### Key Milestones - **Jurassic Period ( ~150 million years ago)**: Origin of birds from theropod dinosaurs, setting the stage for avian evolution. - **Paleogene Period ( ~66-23 million years ago)**: Post-K-Pg extinction diversification; early waterfowl like Presbyornis adapted to shallow wetlands amid warming climates. - **Neogene Period ( ~23-2.6 million years ago)**: Emergence of Anatinae subfamily; ancestors of Anas genus specialized in dabbling feeding, influenced by cooling climates and expanding grasslands. - **Quaternary Period ( ~2.6 million years ago - present)**: Pleistocene ice ages prompted migratory behaviors; domestication and hybridization shaped modern Mallards, with pressures from human expansion and habitat loss.