This is bird note. You can probably guess the bird making that familiar quacking.

It's our most recognizable duck, the Mallard. But did you know that only female mallet quack?

In their breeding plumage, male mallets are avian dandies. They sport a metallic green head, lemon yellow bill, narrow white collar, and chestnut breast.

Their back is pale gray and their wings flash brilliant blue violet feathers midway down the wing

If that isn't enough to lure female malards a charming curl adorns the male's central tail feathers,

unlike any other bird in North America.

Female malards, on the other hand,

are plumed in subdued modeled browns.

The male's primary goal is to attract a mate and defend the breeding territory.

The females is to blend in with the natural surroundings while incubating the eggs and

caring for the young. Fairly soon after the breeding season say June or July.

Watch for the males to become quite drab. They're molting. Their old feathers are coming out

while new ones grow in. Yet, despite any outward changes in plumage, the female's ability to quack loudly never

diminishes during the year. For Bird Note, I'm Mary McCann.