The Mallard, also known as the Wild Duck, is a dabbling duck found in temperate and subtropical regions of the Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has been introduced to countries such as New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. Male Mallards, referred to as drakes, have distinctive green heads, while females, known as hens, are primarily brown-speckled. Both sexes feature a unique area of feathers on their wings called a speculum, which is bordered in white and may appear black or iridescent. Males often display blue speculum feathers. Mallards typically measure between 20 to 26 inches in length, with a wingspan of 32 to 39 inches, and usually weigh between 1.5 to 3.5 pounds. Female Mallards lay 8 to 13 eggs every couple of days, with an incubation period lasting 27 to 28 days. Ducklings are capable of swimming as soon as they hatch. The non-migratory Mallard interbreeds with native wild ducks, which can lead to genetic pollution that threatens indigenous species. Additionally, the Mallard is the primary ancestor of most domestic duck breeds, and its wild gene pool has been impacted by domestic and feral populations.