Mallard

Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos

Classification: Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae

A medium-sized dabbling duck known for its iconic green head and adaptable nature. It forages by tipping forward in the water.

Region of Origin: Northern Hemisphere (North America, Europe, Asia)
Typical Sighting Period: Year-round in temperate areas; more common in south during winter and north during summer breeding.
Plumage Details: Males (drakes) have a metallic green head, yellow bill, and white neck ring. Females (hens) are mottled brown with a dark eye stripe and orange-and-black bill. Both have a blue-purple wing patch (speculum) bordered with white.
Ecological Significance: Key member of wetland ecosystems; acts as a seed disperser and is a primary prey species for various predators including raptors and mammals.
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN); population is stable and very large.
Observation Tips: Easily observed in city parks, ponds, and lakes; look for the curled black tail feathers on males to quickly identify them even at a distance.

Length: 50-65 cm; Wingspan: 81-98 cm; Weight: 0.7-1.6 kg.

Omnivorous; eats aquatic plants, seeds, insects, small crustaceans, and occasionally small fish or grain from fields.

Wetlands, lakes, rivers, marshes, and urban ponds. Highly adaptable to human-altered landscapes.

Partial migrant; many populations remain resident if food and water are available, while northern populations move south for winter.

The female produces the classic loud 'quack'; the male has a quieter, rasping 'rab' or 'kwek' sound.

Nests on the ground near water, often hidden in vegetation. Clutches average 8-13 eggs. Only the female incubates and cares for ducklings.

Metallic green head (male), white neck ring (male), blue-purple speculum with white borders (both sexes).

American Black Duck (darker plumage, no white on speculum edge) and Gadwall (smaller, square head, white wing patch).

Mallards are the ancestor of almost all domestic duck breeds. They are famous for 'dabbling'—tipping tail-up to reach underwater food.