Mallard (Green-head Duck)

This feather belongs to the iconic Mallard. The bird is a large dabbling duck where drakes feature iridescent green heads and hens display mottled brown 'camouflage' patterns. This specific feather shows the classic contrast and banding found on the wing's edge.

Gradient of silver-grey to brownish-tan; features a distinct dark subterminal band followed by a crisp white or pale buff trailing edge, characteristic of hen plumage or drake eclipse plumage

Pennaceous and tightly interlocked toward the tip and outer vane for waterproofing; plumulaceous (downy) at the base for insulation

Smooth, glossy, and distinctly oily/waterproof; the vane feels stiff and firm to the touch with a satin-like luster

White trailing edge, dark subterminal band, and silver-grey base; high oil content and stiff pennaceous texture typical of waterfowl

Highly adaptable; found in wetlands, lakes, rivers, marshes, flooded fields, and urban park ponds

Ubiquitous throughout the Northern Hemisphere; found across North America, Europe, and Asia, with many populations being migratory

Primary consumer of aquatic invertebrates and seeds; serves as a major food source for various birds of prey and mammalian predators

American Black Duck (darker overall), Northern Pintail (more elongated), or Gadwall (different color blocks on the speculum)

Mallards are the ancestors of almost all domestic duck breeds; they can fly at speeds up to 55 miles per hour during migration

Good condition; minor fraying at the base and proximal edge suggests a naturally molted feather rather than one lost to predation