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Anas platyrhynchos
Large, stocky build. Head and bill large, tail short. In flight, looks heavy, wings rather blunt-tipped and broad, especially at base, wingbeats moderately quick. Legs orange. Adult male has metallic green head, narrow white neck-collar, breast purplish-brown, rest of body large pal grey, stern black, central tail feathers upcurled. Bill is uniform dull yellow. Adult female is streaked brown, crown and eye-stripe darker, leaving pale supercilium. Bill orange, with blackish culmen irregularly invading sides of bill at centre. Outer tail feathers dusky buff-white.
Breeds in parks, by canals in towns, on eutrophic lakes, woodland marshes, seashores. Wide range of nesting sites - under bush, tree-hole, artificial nest-basket, near or on buildings.
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