Well-know, widespread and common duck with very large range, including all of Europe except tundra’s in northeast. N and E populations migratory, others sedentary or dispersive. Occurs almost everywhere where surface water is near, including urban habitats. Domesticated forms occur and interbreed with wild type. Omnivorous, all kinds of plant material eaten by grazing or dabbling, also small invertebrates. Hunted in many countries. European population 2,850,000-4,610,000 breeding pairs, trend stable but some countries decreasing, others increasing. Most important host for avian influenza (Latorre-Margalef et al. 2014).