Mallard (Wild Duck)

The Mallard is the quintessential dabbling duck, recognized by the male's glossy green head, white neck ring, and chestnut breast. Females are mottled brown with orange and black bills. They are adaptable swimmers and flyers found in nearly any freshwater habitat.

Uniform dark grayish-brown to dusky coloration with subtle lighter brown edges and a pale whitish-grey downy base at the calamus

Pennaceous upper portion with tightly interlocked barbs, transitioning to plumulaceous (fluffy) downy base with no prominent afterfeather visible

Smooth and slightly glossy in the pennaceous upper section, becoming soft and fluffy toward the base

Dusky brown contour structure with a pale fluffy base and rounded tip, typical of duck body feathers

Wetland habitats including marshes, ponds, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and urban parks

Widespread across the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting temperate and subtropical North America, Europe, Asia, and introduced to regions like New Zealand and Australia

Acts as an important seed disperser for aquatic plants and serves as prey for various mammalian and avian predators

Other dabbling duck species such as American Black Duck or Gadwall, whose body feathers share similar size and structure

Mallards are the ancestors of almost all domestic duck breeds. Their specialized uropygial gland produces oil that they spread over their feathers to keep them waterproof.

Good condition, minor wear at the edges of the lower barbs, but overall structurally intact with clean barbs