Mallard
The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is the best-known and most recognizable of all ducks. It can be found throughout most of North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia. It is the most common and widespread duck. It can be found in almost any area with a wetland habitat, even in urban areas.
Mallard | |
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Mallard female (front) and male (rear) | |
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Anas platyrhynchos |
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Description
The mallard is a large and heavy looking duck. It has a body and a long and a broad bill. The male has a dark green head, a yellow bill, is mainly purple-brown on the breast and grey on the body. The female is mainly brown with an orange bill.
Habitat
It breeds in all parts of the Europe in summer and winter, wherever there are suitable wetland habitats. It is scarcer in upland areas.
Mallard Media
An American black duck (upper left) and a male mallard (lower right) in eclipse plumage
Mallards are among the most common bird species to exhibit aberrant colouration, typically due to genetic mutations. The female pictured here is leucistic; leucism in birds often results in 'cream-coloured', 'apricot' or muted feathers on certain parts of the body.
Female mallard with five ducklings
Egg, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
A male mute swan (Cygnus olor) driving off a female Mallard.
Several drakes swimming in a pond
A mallard (male) eats rolled oats from the hand.