Mallard (Wild Duck, Common Mallard)

The Mallard is the most familiar and widespread wild duck in the world. The adult male features a striking glossy green head, a white neck ring, chestnut-brown chest, and grey body, while females are a mottled brownish-camo pattern designed for camouflage during nesting. They are highly adaptable dabbling ducks.

Rich grayish-brown to warm tan coloration on the pennaceous portion, transitioning to stark white or pale grey at the fluffy base. The rachis is pale white or cream-colored.

Pennaceous upper portion with tightly interlocked barbicels, transitioning into a plumulaceous (fluffy, downy) base with loose barbs lacking hooklets.

Smooth, slightly silky, and water-repellent on the pennaceous tip due to preen gland oils, with a very soft, fluffy texture at the base.

Smooth rounded contour shape, warm brown upper vane with a clean transition into a white downy base, slender white rachis, and water-repellent texture.

Found in a wide variety of wetlands, including freshwater marshes, ponds, rivers, lakes, agricultural fields, and urban parks.

Widespread across the temperate and subtropical regions of North America, Europe, Asia, and introduced to Australia and New Zealand. Highly migratory in northern zones.

Serves as an important seed disperser for aquatic plants, an integral link in aquatic food webs as both prey and predator of invertebrates, and a key bio-indicator of wetland health.

Other dabbling ducks such as Northern Pintail, American Black Duck, or Gadwall, whose female or eclipse-plumage feathers can look similar.

Mallards are the ancestors of almost all domestic duck breeds. Their famous 'quack' is exclusively produced by females; males emit a quieter, raspy sound.

Good condition with intact barbs on the upper pennaceous vane and minimal wear at the tip.