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The mallard is a
large and heavy looking duck. It
has a long body and a long and broad bill. The
male has a dark green head, a yellow bill, is mainly purple-brown on the breast
and grey on the body. The female is
mainly brown with an orange bill.The Mallard is
the ancestor of nearly all domestic duck breeds (everything except the Muscovy
Duck).
Many of the domestic breeds
look like the wild birds, but usually are larger. They are variable in plumage,
often lacking the white neck ring or having white on the chest.
Mallard pairs
are generally monogamous, but
paired males actively pursue forced extra-pair
copulations.
Copulation
between members of a pair usually
takes place in the water after a long bout of
elaborate displays.
Forced
copulations are not preceded by displays,
and several males may chase a single
female and mate with her.
Mallard pairs
form long before the spring breeding season. Pairing takes place in the fall,
but courtship can be seen all winter.
Only the female
incubates the eggs and takes care
of the ducklings.
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