Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

RANGE North America

HABITAT Marshes, wooded swamps, grain fields, ponds, rivers, lakes, bays, and city parks

DIET Seeds, grain, aquatic vegetation, and animal matter including aquatic insect larvae, earthworms, snails and freshwater shrimp

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.

Migrating flocks of mallards have been estimated traveling at 55 miles per hour. Mallards are dabbling ducks.