Mallard Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Northern Shoveler
Breeding male
Northern Shovelers have a bill that is noticeably larger and wider than a mallard with a white (not brown) chest and chestnut sides.
© Paul Hueber | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, February 21, 2012Similar Species
Northern Shoveler
Female/immature
Northern Shovelers have a bill that is noticeably larger and wider than a mallard. Females do not have the dark crown patch that female Mallards have.
© Brendan Fogarty | Macaulay LibraryNew York, January 15, 2017Similar Species
Mottled Duck
Female
Female Mottled Ducks have a unmarked buffy face whereas female Mallards have a darker face.
© Joel Trick | Macaulay LibraryTexas, February 13, 2017Similar Species
Mottled Duck
Male
Mottled Ducks are slightly darker and don't have the broad white borders to the speculum seen on Mallards. They also have a black spot at the base of the bill and an unmarked buffy face that Mallards lack.
© Steve Percival | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 11, 2013Similar Species
American Black Duck
Female
American Black Ducks have a darker body, a greenish-yellow bill, and a purplish speculum patch in the wings that does not have white borders like Mallards.
© Chris Wood | Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 19, 2009Similar Species
American Black Duck
Male
American Black Duck has a darker body, a greenish-yellow bill, and a purplish speculum patch in the wings that does not have white borders like Mallards.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 05, 2014Similar Species
Common Merganser
Breeding male
Mergansers are streamlined ducks with long, slender bills. Mergansers also behave differently, diving instead of dabbling.
© Alix d'Entremont | Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, January 26, 2013Similar Species
Red-breasted Merganser
Breeding male
Mergansers are streamlined ducks with long, slender bills. Mergansers also behave differently, diving instead of dabbling.
© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, March 04, 2014Main Species
Mallard
Breeding male
Common on ponds, lakes, and streams. Males have glossy green head, white ring on neck, brown chest, and yellow bill.
© Eric Liner | Macaulay LibraryNew York, February 09, 2012Not all videos have sound
Female
Feeds in shallow water on aquatic invertebrates and vegetation. Does not dive.
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 14, 2011Not all videos have sound
Breeding male and female
Courtship involves many displays, including synchronized head-bobbing and the female swimming toward the male with her head held low in the water.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMontana, February 01, 2001Not all videos have sound
Breeding males and female
Feeds in shallow water by tipping up to reach submerged vegetation. Does not dive.
© Matthew D. Medler | Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 28, 2014Not all videos have sound
Male (hybrid with American Black Duck)
© Michael O'Brien | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, February 05, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae)
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