© 1998 Walter Bauer, Sugar Land, Texas
Field Marks: The male is grayish with
glossy green head, narrow white collar, purplish-brown breast, and white tail
with curled black central feathers ("duck - tail"), yellowish bill,
orange feet. The female is mottled; brown with a whitish tail and conspicuous
white borders on each side of the metallic violet-blue speculum. The bill is
dark, patched with orange, feet are orange. In flight, mallards have a
characteristic wing-stroke, slower than most ducks; the downward sweep is not
much below body level.
Voice: Female quacks very loudly. Male
is quiet; a low kwak.
Where found: North parts of the
Northern Hemisphere. Winters south to Mexico, North Africa, India.
Texas: Migrates and winters (September
- April) throughout. Summers at least in the Northern parts. Breeds very
locally. This picture was taken in New Braunfels, Texas, Nov 1998.
Habitat:Marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, bays.
Nest: A hollow lined with grass and down, usually among reeds or grass, and close to water. The eggs are 8-15 with a greenish buff.