April 17, 2009
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
The male Mallard is so familiar to many of us that we sometimes forget to appreciate how beautiful he is. The iridescent feathers on the head in different lights look green or purple. In addition to a smart white ring around his neck, yellow bill and orange legs, he sports several black curled feathers on his tail (not visible here), perhaps a duck's version of a black necktie.