Mallard

The most familiar and widespread dabbling duck of the Northern Hemisphere, the Mallard occupies nearly any wetland, from lakes and rivers to estuaries and urban park ponds. Breeding males carry an iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, and grey body, while females are mottled brown; both show a blue speculum bordered with white. It feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing on land, taking aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Clutches are large, from four to eighteen eggs, incubated for 26 to 28 days, with ducklings fledging between 45 and 63 days. The familiar descending 'quack' is given by the female, while the male utters a soft, nasal note. Native across North America, Europe, and Asia, it has been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. It is assessed as Least Concern.