Mallard (Wild Duck)

The Mallard is the most familiar and widespread wild duck in the world. Known for the iridescent green head of the male and the mottled brown camouflage of the female, they are highly adaptable dabbling ducks found in almost any wetland habitat.

Dark greyish-brown upper tip with lighter grayish-white fluffy down at the base, characteristic of female or non-breeding male body plumage

Pennaceous at the upper tip with interlocked barbicels, transitioning into a loose, fluffy plumulaceous structure at the base

Soft and flexible, with a smooth upper tip and a downy, insulative base designed for waterproofing and warmth

Combination of a smooth, darker pennaceous tip and an extensive fluffy plumulaceous base, typical of duck body feathers for thermal insulation

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

Widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, Asia, and introduced to parts of the Southern Hemisphere

Important as both predator and prey in wetland food webs, and acts as a seed disperser for aquatic plants

Other dabbling ducks such as American Black Duck or Gadwall, which have very similar body and flank feather structures

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

Good condition, intact structure with slight wear at the edges, typical of naturally molted body plumage