Males or drakes have a beautiful green or glossy green head and grayish bodies. The females or hens have brown speckled feathers all over their bodies.. that speckling gives them great camouflage in reeds and grasses where they nest. Males have the bright colors to attract the females. It is probably a liability as far as any hiding from predators, but Nature has its ways of sacrificing camo for cute. Both drakes and hens have speculum feathers that are white, blue and black on a small part of their wings. The wingspan is around 32-39 inches or 81-98 cm. Males or drakes can weigh up to 3.5 lbs or 1.58 kg. Many Mallards will migrate to warmer temperatures in the winter. Some will stay around city ponds or areas with water access and become part of a local flock. When migrating in the winter the North American Mallards have been seen in the Carribean Islands, Mexico, and North America.
Mallards are called dabbling ducks. That means that they graze on plants by upending on the water's surface and eating what they can get at. They rarely dive deep. This is also how swan and geese feed. Many swan and geese also migrate like Mallard Ducks. Swan, geese and ducks often fly in a V formation and take turns at the point or front. This helps avoid fatigue or one leader getting too tired flying up front of the flock.
Mallard Ducks
(This is the only NEW drawing on this post.)
(This is the only NEW drawing on this post.)
Swan realistic
Canadian Geese
ONE more thing: The duck bill on both hadrosaurs and ducks is an example of convergent evolution ....which is where a trait evolves independently in animals that are completely unrelated. Another example is how dolphins and sharks are shaped very much alike, even though they are not related.
Parasaurolophus Swimming Lessons
Notice the duck bill on this hadrosaur or duckbill dino.
Notice the duck bill on this hadrosaur or duckbill dino.
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