Mallard (Intergrade/Domestic hybrid)

This individual shows atypical plumage suggestive of a Mallard-domestic cross or an intergrade, featuring mottled brown, buff, and greenish head sheens rather than the standard glossy green head of a wild male Mallard.

Stocky build, typical duck bill shape, and variable mottled brown and greenish head markings distinguishing this specific individual from a standard wild drake.

Length: 50-65 cm, Wingspan: 81-95 cm, Weight: 700-1600 g.

Females produce the classic loud, descending quack; males produce quieter, muffled, reedy drones or whistles.

Omnivorous; feeds on plant materials, seeds, roots, insects, small fish, and amphibians by dabbling or grazing on land.

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

Northern populations are migratory, moving south for winter; temperate populations are largely resident.

Ground nesters, usually placing the nest on the ground hidden in vegetation near water. Clutch size ranges from 8 to 13 eggs.

Other dabbling ducks such as American Black Duck, Northern Pintail, and various domestic duck breeds.

Acts as both seed disperser and prey species in wetland ecosystems, though introduced populations can compete with native waterfowl and hybridize with declining native duck species.

Least Concern (Global population is extremely large and stable).

Easily found in almost any urban or rural freshwater body, often approaching humans for food.

Mallards are the ancestors of almost all domestic duck breeds (except the Muscovy duck) and frequently hybridize with other duck species in the wild.