Mallard (Wild Duck, Common Mallard)

The Mallard is the most familiar and widespread wild duck in the world. The male features a striking iridescent green head, yellow bill, and chestnut breast, while females are a mottled brownish camouflage pattern designed for nesting secrecy.

Muted grayish-brown with fine, vermiculated darker barring typical of female or non-breeding plumage, featuring a pale margin.

Strongly pennaceous through the upper visible portion, creating a cohesive, water-resistant vane with interlocked barbs and tiny barbicels, transitioning slightly to a semiplume-like fluffy base.

Smooth, slightly glossy, and water-repellent due to preen oil application, with a firm and flexible vane texture.

Subtle vermiculated brownish-grey patterning, flexible light-colored rachis, and smooth water-repellent surface typical of anatid contour feathers.

Wetlands, marshes, shallow lakes, rivers, ponds, and urban parks across temperate and subtropical regions.

Widespread across the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting North America, Europe, Asia, and introduced to Australia and New Zealand. Highly migratory in northern parts of its range.

Acts as an important seed disperser for aquatic plants, a prey base for various raptors and mammals, and a bio-indicator for wetland ecosystem health.

Other dabbling duck species such as American Black Duck or Gadwall, whose female contour feathers share similar vermiculated brown patterns.

Mallards are the ancestors of almost all domestic duck breeds. They are dabbling ducks, meaning they feed by tipping upside down in the water rather than diving.

Good condition, intact vane with minimal wear and clean barbs, showing no obvious fault bars or parasitic damage.