The Mallard is largely a resident bird, and a large part of the population winters in Sweden as long as there is open water to swim and forage in.
Wintering: many remain at ice-free lakes, rivers, harbours and town ponds, where the populations are reinforced by northern and central European birds.
Town life: in towns the Mallards become very fearless in winter and gather where the water is kept open and where they are fed.
Food: during the cold season it switches to grain, seeds and aquatic plants and readily grazes in shallow water.