Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

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26 recent observations

Brief #

Breeding male mallard is unmistakable, with a glossy bottle-green head and a white collar.

Synonyms #

  • Ánade azulón (Spanish)
  • Lavanco real (Galician)

Red List Status #

The Mallard is unlikely to become extinct in the near future.
Find out more about IUCN's Red List program here

Description #

The breeding male mallard is unmistakable, with a glossy bottle-green head and a white collar that demarcates the head from the purple-tinged brown breast, grey-brown wings, and a pale grey belly. The rear of the male is black, with white-bordered dark tail feathers. The bill of the male is a yellowish-orange tipped with black, with that of the female generally darker and ranging from black to mottled orange and brown. The female mallard is predominantly mottled, with each individual feather showing sharp contrast from buff to very dark brown, a coloration shared by most female dabbling ducks, and has buff cheeks, eyebrow, throat, and neck, with a darker crown and eye-stripe.

Measurements #

Length: 56 - 65 cm
Wingspan: 81 - 98 cm
Weight: 0.75 - 1.5 kg

Similar species #