Mallard vs. Duck — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 19, 2023
A Mallard is a specific species of duck with distinctive coloring. Ducks, in general, are waterfowl that can be found worldwide.
Difference Between Mallard and Duck
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
When discussing waterfowl, the terms Mallard and Duck are often used. However, they represent different classifications in avian taxonomy. A Mallard is a specific species within the broader category of ducks.
Ducks, as a broader term, encompass a range of species found globally, varying in size, color, and habitat. They belong to the family Anatidae, which includes other birds like swans and geese. Ducks are recognized for their webbed feet, broad flat beaks, and a generally stout build.
On the other hand, the Mallard is distinguished by its unique appearance. Male Mallards, also known as drakes, showcase a glossy green head, white neck ring, and a chestnut-brown chest. Females are predominantly mottled with a distinctive orange bill bordered with black.
It's worth noting that while all Mallards are ducks, not all ducks are Mallards. This distinction is akin to the relationship between squares and rectangles in geometry, where all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares.
In essence, the term Duck serves as a broad category, encompassing various species, while the term Mallard refers to a particular species known for its distinctive appearance and wide distribution.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Classification
A specific species of duck.
A general term for waterfowl of the family Anatidae.
Appearance
Males have green heads and chestnut-brown chests.
Varies widely depending on the species.
Distribution
Found in North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
Found worldwide.
Habitat
Freshwater wetlands, ponds, and lakes.
Varies from freshwater to marine environments based on species.
Significance
A well-known species often seen in parks and urban areas.
Represents a broad group with diverse species, habitats, and behaviors.
Compare with Definitions
Mallard
A waterfowl known for its adaptability to various habitats.
The Mallard can be found both in natural wetlands and urban ponds.
Duck
A waterbird with webbed feet and a broad bill.
The duck floated gracefully on the pond.
Mallard
A species of dabbling duck widely distributed.
The Mallard is one of the most recognized ducks in North America.
Duck
An aquatic bird hunted for sport and food.
Duck hunting is a popular pastime in some regions.
Mallard
A common wild duck with distinctive male and female coloring.
The male Mallard's vibrant green head made it stand out.
Duck
A term also used for the meat of this bird.
For dinner, they served roasted duck with a berry sauce.
Mallard
A duck species often observed in migration.
In the spring, we watched as the Mallards migrated north.
Duck
Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are also members of the same family.
Mallard
The ancestor to most domestic duck breeds.
Many domestic ducks have the Mallard as their wild ancestor.
Duck
A waterbird with a broad blunt bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait.
Mallard
The mallard () or wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa. This duck belongs to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae.
Duck
A pure white thin-shelled bivalve mollusc found off the Atlantic coasts of America.
Mallard
A wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos) found almost worldwide, the male of which has a green head and neck. Most domestic ducks descend from the mallard.
Duck
An amphibious transport vehicle
Visitors can board an amphibious duck to explore the city
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos, a common and widespread dabbling duck, natively found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, whose male has a distinctive dark green head.
Duck
A quick lowering of the head.
Mallard
A drake; the male of Anas boschas.
Duck
Dear; darling (used as an informal or affectionate form of address, especially among cockneys)
Where've yer been, ducks!
It's time you changed, my duck
Mallard
A large wild duck (Anas boschas) inhabiting both America and Europe. The domestic duck has descended from this species. Called also greenhead.
Duck
A strong linen or cotton fabric, used chiefly for work clothes and sails
Cotton duck
Mallard
Wild dabbling duck from which domestic ducks are descended; widely distributed
Duck
A batsman's score of nought
He was out for a duck
Duck
Lower the head or the body quickly to avoid a blow or missile or so as not to be seen
Spectators ducked for cover
He ducked his head and entered
Duck
Push or plunge (someone) under water, either playfully or as a punishment
Rufus grabbed him from behind to duck him under the surface
Duck
Refrain from playing a winning card on a particular trick for tactical reasons
Declarer ducked the opening spade lead
Duck
Any of various wild or domesticated waterbirds of the family Anatidae, characteristically having a broad flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.
Duck
A female duck.
Duck
The flesh of a duck used as food.
Duck
(Slang) A person, especially one thought of as peculiar.
Duck
Often ducks (used with a sing. verb) Chiefly British A dear.
Duck
A quick lowering of the head or body.
Duck
A plunge under water.
Duck
A durable, closely woven heavy cotton or linen fabric.
Duck
Ducks Clothing made of duck, especially white pants.
Duck
An amphibious military truck used during World War II.
Duck
A similar vehicle used for civilian purposes, as to evacuate flood victims or for sightseeing tours. In both senses also called DUKW.
Duck
To lower quickly, especially so as to avoid something
Ducked his head as the ball came toward him.
Duck
To evade; dodge
Duck responsibility.
Ducked the reporter's question.
Duck
To push (a person, for example) suddenly under water.
Duck
In bridge, to deliberately play a card that is lower than (an opponent's card).
Duck
To lower the head or body.
Duck
To move swiftly, especially so as to escape being seen
Ducked behind a bush.
Duck
To submerge the head or body briefly in water.
Duck
To evade a responsibility or obligation. Often used with out
Duck out on one's family.
Duck
In bridge, to lose a trick by deliberately playing lower than one's opponent.
Duck
(intransitive) To quickly lower the head or body, often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Duck! There's a branch falling off the tree!
Duck
(transitive) To quickly lower (the head or body), often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Duck
(transitive) To lower (something) into water; to thrust or plunge under liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Duck
(intransitive) To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to plunge one's head into water or other liquid.
Duck
(intransitive) To bow.
Duck
(transitive) To evade doing something.
Duck
(transitive) To lower the volume of (a sound) so that other sounds in the mix can be heard more clearly.
Duck
(intransitive) To enter a place for a short moment.
I'm just going to duck into the loo for a minute, can you hold my bag?
Duck
(caving) A cave passage containing water with low, or no, airspace.
Duck
An aquatic bird of the family Anatidae, having a flat bill and webbed feet.
Duck
Specifically, an adult female duck; contrasted with drake and with duckling.
Duck
(uncountable) The flesh of a duck used as food.
Duck
(cricket) A batsman's score of zero after getting out. (short for duck's egg, since the digit "0" is round like an egg.)
Duck
(slang) A playing card with the rank of two.
Duck
A building intentionally constructed in the shape of an everyday object to which it is related.
A luncheonette in the shape of a coffee cup is particularly conspicuous, as is intended of an architectural duck or folly.
Duck
A marble to be shot at with another marble (the shooter) in children's games.
Duck
(US) A cairn used to mark a trail.
Duck
One of the weights used to hold a spline in place for the purpose of drawing a curve.
Duck
Synonym of lame duck
Duck
(medicine) A long-necked medical urinal for men.
Duck
A faggot; a meatball made from offal.
Duck
A tightly-woven cotton fabric used as sailcloth.
Duck
(in plural) Trousers made of such material.
Duck
A term of endearment; pet; darling.
Duck
(Midlands) Dear, mate (informal way of addressing a friend or stranger).
Ay up duck, ow'a'tha?
Duck
A pet; a darling.
Duck
A linen (or sometimes cotton) fabric, finer and lighter than canvas, - used for the lighter sails of vessels, the sacking of beds, and sometimes for men's clothing.
Duck
The light clothes worn by sailors in hot climates.
Duck
Any bird of the subfamily Anatinæ, family Anatidæ.
Duck
A sudden inclination of the bead or dropping of the person, resembling the motion of a duck in water.
Here be, without duck or nod,Other trippings to be trod.
Duck
To thrust or plunge under water or other liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Adams, after ducking the squire twice or thrice, leaped out of the tub.
Duck
To plunge the head of under water, immediately withdrawing it; as, duck the boy.
Duck
To bow; to bob down; to move quickly with a downward motion.
Duck
To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to dive; to plunge the head in water or other liquid; to dip.
In Tiber ducking thrice by break of day.
Duck
To drop the head or person suddenly; to bow.
The learned pateDucks to the golden fool.
Duck
Small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
Duck
(cricket) a score of nothing by a batsman
Duck
Flesh of a duck (domestic or wild)
Duck
A heavy cotton fabric of plain weave; used for clothing and tents
Duck
To move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away;
Before he could duck, another stone struck him
Duck
Submerge or plunge suddenly
Duck
Dip into a liquid;
He dipped into the pool
Duck
Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues);
He dodged the issue
She skirted the problem
They tend to evade their responsibilities
He evaded the questions skillfully
Duck
A member of the Anatidae family, which includes swans and geese.
The duck is closely related to the goose.
Duck
A bird known for its quacking sound.
The duck's quack echoed across the lake.
Common Curiosities
How many types of ducks exist?
There are over 120 species of ducks worldwide.
Are Mallards found globally?
Mallards are widespread and are found in North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
Is a Mallard a type of duck?
Yes, the Mallard is a specific species of duck.
Is duck a general term?
Yes, duck is a broad term that covers various species of waterfowl.
Are Mallards the only ducks in urban areas?
No, but Mallards are one of the most commonly seen ducks in urban areas.
Can the term duck also refer to the bird's meat?
Yes, "duck" can refer to both the bird and its meat.
Do ducks live in saltwater?
Some duck species inhabit marine environments, while others prefer freshwater.
What distinguishes a male Mallard?
A male Mallard, or drake, has a green head and chestnut-brown chest.
How can I identify a female Mallard?
Female Mallards are mottled brown with an orange bill bordered with black.
Can Mallards interbreed with other ducks?
Yes, Mallards can hybridize with various other duck species.
Do all ducks quack?
Not all ducks quack; different species have various vocalizations.
Are all domestic ducks derived from Mallards?
Most domestic ducks have the Mallard as an ancestor, but not all.
Do ducks have predators?
Yes, ducks face threats from predators like foxes, birds of prey, and large fish.
Is duck hunting legal everywhere?
Duck hunting regulations vary by region and country.
Are Mallards migratory?
Yes, many Mallards migrate based on seasonal changes.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical
Next Comparison
Viniculture vs. ViticultureAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
