A pair of
Mallards, an easily recognized species of
dabbling duck that is found throughout the
temperate and
subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, as well as Australia and New Zealand. The male birds have a bright green head (during breeding season) and are grey on wings and belly, while the females are brown all over. Both sexes have blue
speculum feathers. Mallards live in
wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and are gregarious. This species is the ancestor of almost all of the breeds of
domestic ducks.
Photo: Richard Bartz