Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
- Habitat
- Wetlands, including ponds, lakes and rivers with abundant aquatic vegetation.
- Diet
- Plant material and small animals such as insects, worms and snails; also grain.
- Identification clues
- Both sexes have an iridescent blue wing patch. Adult males in breeding plumage have a green head; females are brown.
- Did you know?
- The familiar loud duck quack is a female mallard call used to bring other ducks toward her.
Identification practice
Compare these sourced clues with the photograph. Color can vary and some traits are shared by other species; use several visible details together.
Rock Pigeon(Columba livia)
Many have a gray body, glossy neck and two dark wing bars, but feral birds have many color forms.
Turkey Vulture(Cathartes aura)
A large, dark brown-black bird with a bare head and neck; adult head skin can appear pink to bright red.
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