Mallard (Wild Duck, Common Mallard)

The Mallard is the quintessential dabbling duck, instantly recognizable by the male's glossy green head, yellow bill, and brown chest. Females are mottled brown with orange and black accents. This contour feather provides crucial waterproof insulation.

Deep charcoal-black to dark grey base with subtle iridescent dark blue or greenish highlights, featuring neatly defined curved barring or dark margins depending on sex and exact body tract.

Strongly pennaceous through the upper visible blade with tightly interlocked barbicels, transitioning into a fluffy plumulaceous basal tuft at the base of the rachis.

Smooth, slightly oily and water-resistant on the upper surface to repel water, with a soft, downy texture at the hidden base.

Rounded rounded tip, dark coloration with subtle iridescence, and a distinct downy plumulaceous base.

Wetlands, marshes, shallow lakes, rivers, ponds, and urban parks with access to water.

Widespread across temperate and subtropical North America, Europe, Asia, and introduced to Australia and New Zealand. Highly adaptable and largely resident or migratory depending on latitude.

Acts as an important seed disperser for aquatic plants and serves as a major prey base for various raptors and mammals.

Other dabbling ducks such as American Black Duck or Northern Pintail, distinguished by subtle differences in barring and exact coloration.

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

Good condition, intact barbs with minimal wear, showing a healthy, clean specimen.