The Mallard is 56–65 centimeters (22–26 in) long (of
which the body makes up around two-thirds), has a wingspan of
81–98 centimeters (32–39 in), and weighs 0.9–1.2
kilograms (32–42 oz). The breeding male is unmistakable, with
a bright bottle-green head, black rear end and a yellowish orange
(can also contain some red) bill tipped with black (as opposed to
the black/orange bill in females). It has a white collar which
demarcates the head from the purple-tinged brown breast, grey brown
wings, and a pale grey belly. The dark tail has white borders. The
female Mallard is a mottled light brown, like most female dabbling
ducks, and has buff cheeks, eyebrow, throat and neck with a darker
crown and eye-stripe. However, both the female and male Mallards
have distinct purple speculum edged with white, prominent in flight
or at rest (though temporarily shed during the annual summer
moult). Upon hatching, the plumage coloring of the duckling is
yellow on the underside and face (with streaks by the eyes) and
black on the backside (with some yellow spots) all the way to the
top and back of the head. Its legs and bill are also black but they
gradually change color with age. As it nears the end of the
fledgling period, the duckling is now a juvenile and its plumage
becomes drab, looking more like the female (though its plumage is
more streaked), but sex can be easily distinguished by the black
and orange bills of females and the yellow bills and slightly
reddish breasts of males.[citation needed] During the final period
of maturity leading up to adulthood (6–10 months of age), the
plumage of female juveniles remains the same while the plumage of
male juveniles slowly changes to its recognizable colors.[citation
needed] This also applies to adult Mallard males near the end of
the molting period when they transition out of their non-breeding
(eclipse) plumage.
This cache counts for Ridge View Manor Park
in the Rochester City Parks Challenge. Park number 92.