"Choose your companions before you choose your road."-Patrick Lencioni
The male (drake) is easily recognised by its iridescent green head and yellow bill whereas the female (hens or ducks) have mainly brown-speckled plumage. After breeding, ducks "moult" and old, worn-out feathers are replaced by new ones. For about a month, they can't fly and are very vulnerable to predators. To provide some protection, particularly for the brightly-coloured males, the moult starts with their bright body feathers. These are replaced by dowdy brown ones, making them look much like females.
The term Mallard comes from Old French "mallart" meaning “wild duck”
Mallard (Drake and Hen)
Anas platyrhynchos
Sony A77ii
Tamron 150-600
f/5, 1/250s, ISO3200, 200mm
Stamford, (UK)
Dec - 2020