Mallard duck

Description:

The Mallard duck sometimes stays all winter, but tend to head north as the ice melts on the ponds. The male is distinctive with its green head,white-striped neck, yellow bill, and curved black tail. The female is streaked, mottled buff-brown with a blue speculum (band on wing). They sometimes breed with Black ducks, domestics and others. They feed on pond and marsh plants.

Notes:

Shallow ponds, lakes, marshes and sheltered saltwater in the winter.