How to Identify a Female Mallard Duck

The ability to determine gender and species of waterfowl depends on a few key characteristics. Whether a hunter, tracker or a casual nature observer, the ability to distinguish the mallard from other species present will prove useful in your pursuits.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Determine Species

1. Make sure mallards are a breed that is present in the area. Mallards spend summers in sub tropical or temperate areas, such as the northern U.S. states or the southern Canadian provinces. In the winters the mallard migrates south, sometimes as far as South America or the Caribbean. If your location agrees with these known patterns, continue with further identification.
2. Observe the duck's behavior. Mallards engage in "dabbling," meaning they graze for their feed on the surface or just under the surface of the water. A mallard won't engage in diving behavior or foraging or eating on land. If your subject is dabbling, odds are good that it is a mallard.
3. Determine the duck's markings. All mallards have a mark called a speculum to the rear of their wings. The mallard speculum is an iridescent purple/white patch outlined with pure white. Once the species is positively identified as a mallard, move on to identifying the gender.

Determine Gender

4. Identify gender by body color. Male mallards will exhibit bright colors such as greens, purples and blues. Female mallards are a dappled brown, with the exception of the speculum marking.
5. Check the bill color. A female will have an orange bill, while the male's beak is usually yellow.
6. Observe gendered behavior. The male mallard will be the partner that forages for food, approaches aggressors, and appears to be in charge. The female mallard will hang back from aggressors (nearby humans), or may even stay in one isolated area guarding a nest. These behaviors and roles reveal gender of the mallards.

Tips & Warnings

• Mallards are one of the most common types of ducks worldwide, and many crossbred varieties exist, including odd colors and patterns. When determining gender, keep in mind that the female of a species almost always has more drab colors than the male. Browns, grays and dirty whites are more likely to be female than greens, blues and purples.