The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is about
22 inches long. The male has a metallic green head and white
neck ring, chestnut breast and grayish body and yellow bill.
The female is a mottled brown. Both male and female have a bright
blue speculum bordered with white. 
Mallards are known as "puddle ducks".
They feed by tipping tail-up to reach aquatic plants, seeds and
snails. Mallards live in fresh marshes, rivers, lakes, bays and
some city ponds. The female builds and tends the nest that is
lined with down, grass or leaves near water (sometimes in a tree).
There are 9 to 11 light green, blue or buff eggs laid. The eggs
have no markings. The incubation period is from 22 to 28 days.
The mallard can be found in temperate and
subtropical regions across the Northern Hemisphere. Mallards
will also breed with other ducks of their species producing interesting
hybrids.
There are a number of Mallard gifts in
Jeannie's Gift Shop.
We have a resin Mallard which is actually a gift box. Lift off
the wings and you can see the hidden enclosure. We also have
a Mallard Frame, some plush birds and a Mallard ornament. There
are also some wooden decoys and wood carvings, and even a little
Mallard planter.
