Mallard, common name for one of the most widespread species of wild duck, from which most domestic ducks are descended. The mallard, found throughout the northern hemisphere, is about 60 cm (about 2 ft) long. The adult male is grayish brown above and has a chestnut breast and white abdomen; its head and throat are greenish black, and a white collar encircles its neck. The back feathers of the female are dark brown edged in buff, and her underparts are buff spotted with dark brown. The bill of the male is greenish-yellow; that of the female is orange-yellow mottled with black. Both sexes have orange legs. The bird eats invertebrates and plants and is valuable in the wild for destroying mosquito larvae. The down-lined nest of the mallard is built near ponds or in grassland. The female alone cares for the eight to ten young.
Scientific classification: The mallard belongs to the family Anatidae of the order Anseriformes. It is classified as Anas platyrhynchos.
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