Why does this Mallard have a white breast? CT USA (1 Viewer)

[jeen1965]

I thought there was something odd looking about this mallard and then realized that it had a white breast. Is this some sort of a hybrid? a domestic duck or maybe just some kind of color variation?-thanks

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

yes its a Mallard with domestic ancestry=Domestic Duck=manky Mallard (from here and Manky Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) - North American Birds - Birds of North America)

There are many threads on BF about this, one recent: Mallard / Gadwall / Garganey? Anglesey, 2023-01-02.

And thanks to Jörn for his interesting and helpful comment once more!