The female is an overall mottled brown with bright blue wing bar. Mallards congregate in large flocks that sometimes number in the hundreds. The flock will feed in exposed water during the day and fly to sheltered resting areas for the night. If food is available, many may overwinter on communal summer feeding grounds but most will migrate south to warmer climates. Males generally are polygamous, aggressive suitors that often gang-up on receptive females during the breeding season.
Mallards are very vocal ducks, especially when feeding.
The females produce the familiar quacking sound. There are at least 11 subspecies of Canada Geese that vary in size. Common characteristics among all races is a solid black bill, black legs, black feet and a black head and neck with a distinctive white chin strap. They are very vocal and produce a variety of honking sounds, particularly in flight. Males and females form strong pair bonds and their family groups tend to stay together in the main flock for up to a year.