Mallard Duck (Anas platyhynchos) The ancestor of the common white domestic duck, wild Mallards frequently interbreed with domestic stock producing a variety of patterns and colors. The lovely female to the left is an example of this. (Photographed in Lake County, Floirda.) To the right is a female with very different coloring. (Photographed in Polk County, Floirda.)The male Mallard is known by his green head. They breed over much of North America.
Sorry, I just couldn't resist adding the caption to this shot on the right of two female Mallards watching as a large white Mute Swan swam by.
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)
A diving duck, the Ring-necked Duck is most easily recognized by the bold white ring around its bill and the subtle purplish ring around it’s neck. The adult female has a pale brown head and body and has a more subtle light band around the bill. They breed in most areas of the United States and Canada. They can rarely be seen in Europe and South America.
A diving duck, the Ring-necked Duck is most easily recognized by the bold white ring around its bill and the subtle purplish ring around it’s neck. The adult female has a pale brown head and body and has a more subtle light band around the bill. They breed in most areas of the United States and Canada. They can rarely be seen in Europe and South America.
I caught this obviously quite shaken little Ring-necked Duck as a large Mute Swan was bearing down on him. Swans, while beautiful, can be very aggresive.