Mallard (Wild Duck)

The Mallard is the most familiar and abundant wild duck, known for the male's striking iridescent green head, white neck ring, and chestnut breast. Females are mottled brown with a distinctive orange and black bill. They are highly adaptable dabbling ducks found in almost any wetland habitat.

Warm brown to grayish-brown coloration with fine, subtle vermiculation and a paler, whitish-grey base near the quill

Pennaceous upper portion with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, transitioning to a plumulaceous (fluffy downy) base at the proximal end

Smooth, slightly glossy pennaceous tip with a soft, fluffy downy base; water-repellent surface typical of waterfowl

Warm brown coloration with fine vermiculation, rounded tip, and a fluffy downy base typical of a large anatid body feather

Wetlands, marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, and agricultural fields across temperate and subtropical regions

Widespread across the Northern Hemisphere including North America, Europe, Asia, and introduced to Australia and New Zealand

Acts as an important seed disperser for aquatic plants and serves as prey for various mammalian and avian predators

Other dabbling ducks such as American Black Duck or Northern Pintail, distinguished by subtle differences in vermiculation shade and size

Mallards are the ancestors of almost all domestic duck breeds. They are dabbling ducks, meaning they feed by tipping up in the water rather than diving.

Good condition, clean vane with intact barbs and a healthy, undamaged rachis