Mallard

Description:

Mallards are large ducks with hefty bodies, rounded heads, and wide, flat bills. Like many dabbling ducks the body is long and the tail rides high out of the water, giving a blunt shape. In flight their wings are broad and set back toward the rear. Male Mallards have a dark, iridescent-green head and bright yellow bill. The gray body is sandwiched between a brown breast and black rear. Females and juveniles are mottled brown with orange-and-brown bills. Both sexes have a white-bordered, blue speculum patch in the wing.

Habitat:

Mallards can live in almost any wetland habitat, natural or artificial. They can be found on lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and coastal habitats, as well as city and suburban parks and residential backyards.

Notes:

Female Mallard spotted on a flood plain of the Ijssel river in rural area of Deventer, Holland.