The mallard, Anas platyrhynchos , is the most common duck in the United States, North America and the Northern Hemisphere. It is among the best known and most widely recognized of all wildlife. The species possesses the largest breeding range of any bird on the continent, nesting across Canada and Alaska south to California, New Mexico, Kansas, Ohio and Virginia.
Taxonomists recognize seven races.
The mallard may have been the first domesticated bird, and from it have sprung all domestic duck breeds except the barnyard muscovy. The male, or drake, is easily recognized by his dark-green head, the narrow white ring around his neck, and the dark chestnut breast. His rump is black, the outer tail feathers white, the underparts whitish, the sides gray, and the back brownish. The male's bill is yellow, his legs and feet are orange-red. The female's bill is orange with dark spots, her feet orange.