Mallards are very common throughout North America.
They winter south of Canada throughout all the United States and on into Central America. Between March and April they begin to arrive on their nesting grounds in the northern parts of the United States and Canada. They are also common throughout much of Europe, Asia and Africa. They stay near shallow bodies of fresh water, on lakes, marshes and even flooded fields. In the mallard drake a white ring separates the bright-green head and neck from the chestnut breast, the back is grayish brown, the tail white, and the wings have blue patches.