Mallard (Clay Hill Memorial Forest Birds)

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Summary ⁷

The Mallard (/ˈmælɑrd/ or /ˈmælərd/) or Wild Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia. This duck belongs to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae.

Physical description ⁸

Mallards are undoubtedly the most recognized waterfowl in the world. They have a typical duck body with an iridescent blue patch on the wings in both sexes. On males the notable characteristics are the green iridescent feathers on the head and neck and curled black feathers on the tail. Females are uniformly a speckled brown color. The male duck's bill is yellow, while the female's bill is orange with black markings. Both males and females have orange legs, webbed feet, and dark colored eyes.

Average length: 48.0 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male more colorful

Average mass: 1048.1 g.

Average basal metabolic rate: 4.068 W.