Mallards are our most ubiquitous duck and due to the popularity of 'feeding the ducks' at the local pond, they have adapted their behaviour. No sooner was I spotted approaching the pond, that a great frenzy of activity erupted in the duck population; those nearby immediately climbing out of the water and hurryingly waddling (if you can hurry and waddle) in my direction; others quacking furiously; some flying in and landing with a big splash. Presumably they thought I had food. ( I didn't. Please don't feed the ducks! Our processed food is not good for them, and food left around encourages pests like rats)
As they came near I was able to observe their features closely. Whilst most male mallards were fairly typical with an iridescent greenish head, a white and black tail with a curl, and a bright blue/purple speculum (in case you are wondering, that is the bar or flash of colour in the secondary feathers that the birds use to signal their species to each other), I also saw this brown variant. I say variant, because it is the size and shape of a mallard, but not the usual colour. Their are many domestic variants of mallards. Some do breed with wild types and show hybrid features.
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