Mallard in Flight
The Mallard is a beautiful bird that brings delight to many outdoor people and one of the hardiest and most adaptable of ducks. Arlene Morgan’s Mallard in Flight is a winter scene portraying the true flight of this duck seeking to maneuver landing. The emphasis is on the vibrant feather colors, and the bird watcher knows of few more thrilling sights than Mallards dropping down with feet out-thrust to find the first spring water, as depicted in this painting.
Painted in 1982, has given emphasis to the plight of the continuing loss of prairie nesting habitat, particularly grassy uplands, which had caused a long-term decline in continental Mallard populations. The continuing loss of prairie nesting habitat, particularly grassy uplands, has caused a long-term decline in continental Mallard populations.
Droughts during the 1980s and 1990s have created unfavorable conditions ducks, and many former wetlands have dried out and are now farmland. Concern for the long-term decline in prairie Mallards resulted in a continent-wide effort to benefit waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. The North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) signed in 1986 has specific habitat management goals aimed at restoring Mallard populations on prairie breeding habitat and also in their migration and wintering ranges such as Texas.
