Mallard (Wild Duck)

The Mallard is the most familiar and abundant wild duck in the world. The adult male (drake) is unmistakable with its glossy bottle-green head, narrow white neck collar, chestnut-brown chest, and grayish body with intricately patterned flank feathers just like this one.

Intricate black and white or gray wavy vermiculations on a pale grayish-brown background, with a clean white and dark subterminal band near the tip

Pennaceous vane distally with a dense, interlocking structure, transitioning to a plumulaceous (fluffy downy) base

Smooth, firm pennaceous upper portion with a soft, downy basal section; water-resistant texture due to preen gland oil

Fine undulating dark vermiculations (pencil-like lines) on a pale background, typical of male dabbling duck side and flank plumage

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

Widespread across the temperate and subtropical regions of North America, Europe, Asia, and introduced to Australia and New Zealand

Acts as an important consumer of aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates, serving as a key prey species for various mammalian and avian predators

Northern Pintail or American Black Duck, which share similar vermiculated body plumage patterns but differ in exact coloration and structural hue

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

Good condition with intact barbs and a clean shaft, showing minimal wear or damage