Mallard

In Europe and North America the mallard anas platyrhynchos is the commonest of the dabbling ducks, so called because they feed on the surface of water, unlike diving ducks, which dive deep. Dabbling ducks feed by sieving water and mud through their bills on the surface, or by 'up-ending' to get down under the surface. The female here is demonstrating the 'up-ending' technique in a rather unglamorous fashion.

All farmyard ducks across the world are descended from the mallard.

Only females quack, the males make a low soft nasal call and a seldom-heard whistle.