Young Mallard

Omaha, Nebraska

On Nebraska’s Zorinsky Lake, a young female mallard’s plumage glistens in the sun as she floats on by. While male mallards are one of the most recognizable duck breeds in the world with their iridescent green head, pale gray body, black curled tail feathers, chestnut brown breast, and thin white collar around their necks, female mallards are more neutral with mottled brown feathers all over, darker lined markings around the eyes, and pale white tail feathers.