Mallard (Wild Duck)

The Mallard is the most familiar and abundant wild duck in the world. Adult males feature a striking glossy green head, a white neck collar, chestnut breast, and yellowish bill, while females are a mottled, protective brownish-tan. Known for their characteristic quack, Mallards are dabbling ducks that feed by tipping up in the water rather than diving.

Uniform grayish-brown to dark brown coloration with a slightly lighter, frosted grayish margin and a whitish-grey downy base. The rachis is pale whitish-tan at the base and darkens toward the tip

Pennaceous upper vane with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, transitioning smoothly into a plumulaceous (fluffy, downy) base with uncoupled barbules

Smooth and firm in the upper pennaceous portion, becoming very soft, silky, and fluffy at the base. Matte finish with slight water-resistant properties due to preen oil

Uniform grayish-brown coloration with a rounded tip, sturdy central shaft, and a distinct fluffy plumulaceous base without complex banding patterns

Found in a wide variety of wetlands, including marshes, shallow lakes, rivers, ponds, agricultural fields, and urban parks with permanent water bodies

Widespread across the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting temperate and subtropical North America, Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, highly migratory in northern ranges and resident elsewhere

Serves as an important seed disperser for aquatic plants, a prey species for various raptors and mammals, and acts as an ecological indicator for wetland health

Other dabbling ducks such as Gadwall or American Black Duck, whose body feathers share similar gray-brown tones but often exhibit finer vermiculation or distinct edging

Mallards are the primary ancestors of almost all domestic duck breeds. Their iconic quack is actually produced exclusively by females; males make a much quieter, subdued raspy sound

Good condition. The barbs are mostly intact with minimal fraying, showing standard wear typical of a naturally molted body feather

Santa Fe New Mexico