Mallard Duck

Due to its broad distribution along boat coasts and throughout the inland lakes and marshes, the mallard or "greenhead" is the most sought after of our waterfowl.

It is the prettiest in the minds of some, since it has been the most common subject of painters and wildlife artists.

Mallard decorations and miniature decoys grace many a sportsman's library or den. Only the shoveller and the woodduck vie for or possibly surpass his beauty. The drake has a blue-green iridescent head and neck, ringed at the base by a narrow white band.

The blue-purple patch banded with white on the first section of the wing and his yellow legs mark him unmistakably. Many hunters call him "yellowlegs." The female is speckled with various shades of brown, but she also wears the blue-purple patches on the wings.

The mallard offers one of the best opportunities to break in on the study of waterfowl. You find them in most city parks the year round. You'll also find the domesticated variety on the farm. Commercial shooting preserves stock him for this type of pass shooting.

From: A Sportman's Guide to Game Birds
by: Ray Ovington - Enjoy - Don Trosper.

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