Mallard (Wild Duck)

The Mallard is the most familiar and abundant wild duck in the world. Known for the iconic glossy green head of the adult male, brownish mottled females, and a distinctive blue speculum wing patch, they are highly adaptable swimmers and dabblers found in almost any wetland habitat.

Muted grayish-brown with subtle fine vermiculations and lighter whitish edges

Transition between pennaceous at the upper tip and plumulaceous at the base, with a fluffy downy tuft near the calamus; barbs are slightly separated and flexible

Soft, somewhat silky, and slightly loose-webbed with a matte appearance

Softly textured vane, pale flexible central shaft, and brownish-grey vermiculated pattern characteristic of female or non-breeding duck body plumage

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 parts of the Southern Hemisphere like Australia and New Zealand

Acts as an important seed disperser for aquatic plants, part of the wetland food web as both predator of invertebrates and prey for larger raptors

Other dabbling ducks such as American Black Duck, Gadwall, or Northern Pintail, whose body feathers share similar drab brown and gray tones

Mallards are the primary ancestor of nearly all domestic duck breeds. Their specialized bill has comb-like structures called lamellae to strain food from water.

Good condition with minor wear along the edges of the barbs and slight fraying