Day 46: Mallard

When we think of ducks, most of us picture the beautiful, emerald headed male Mallard. Mallards are so common that they often don't get a second glance. They are the most abundant duck in North America and can be found throughout the world.

There is a creek close to my parent's house in Texas, and every spring, a few pairs of Mallards will venture out into the neighborhood and take up residence in someone's front yard. While my dad finds them to be a nuisance, my brother and I always enjoyed the yearly visit.

We see Mallards nearly every time we visit a local pond or lake in Maryland. Males have a bright green head and a white neck color, with a brown breast and grey belly. Females are mottled brown and when nesting, lay more than half of their body weight in eggs.

Mallards are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods, depending on what is available. I didn't know this, but Mallards are the ancestors of nearly all domestic ducks.