2013 Mallard Duck Colored Commemorative Quarter

Part of the Ducks of Canada Quarter Series.

Abundant throughout North America, the Mallard is one of the continent’s most well-known and best-loved species of wild duck. The plumage of Mallards is instantly recognizable. The male, or drake, has a bright green head, ochre yellow bill, and brown chest. He bears patches (known as "specula") of indigo blue on its greyish, brown wings. On the other hand, the female, or hen, bears mottled brown and white plumage, sharing with the drake a striking indigo speculum decorating the upper back edge of each wing.

Design: Designed by Canadian artist Trevor Tennant, this coin features a Mallard mating pair swimming in their customary manner toward the viewer, gently churning up the waterway in which they swim with their webbed feet so that it seems to spill from the scene’s raised circular frame. The brown-and-white mottled female leads the way, glancing back at her mate, who turns his graceful green head to her. Behind them loom wetland reeds where water meets land, and further back still the pines and deciduous trees of Canada's boreal forest tower against a bright, clear sky.