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Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Photo by jamerbean
Published on Project Noah
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40.7795, -73.9678

Field Notes

Description:

Does anyone have any idea what is going on with this mallard's head? At first I thought it was a trick of the light, but as you can see by the pictures of the it preening it seems to be an actual feather pattern... I'm going to feel silly if this is actually not a mallard and just a different species that looks like mallards, but I couldn't find anything like it. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Habitat:

Lake

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

Thanks TampaDave! I didn't realize mallards hybridized with other ducks... I've got some reading up on that to do. :D
This looks like it could be a black duck/mallard hybrid. Their heads have the same green pattern as your subject.
Photographed
PublishedApril 17, 2011

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