23; Mallard Duck

• A group of  Mallard ducks is called a; Brace / Puddling / Flush
• Come on you guys its cold out there.  One of my favorite memories is behind the Gateway Hotel, in High River Alberta, at the springs and source of The Little Bow River.  Because of the springs the water stays open year round.  Stuffed from bank to bank, 3 to 4 feet wide, were hundreds of ducks with the steam rising up and snow on the banks.  You couldn't have put one more duck in there.  We have pictures somewhere but I can't find them.
• The Mallard duck is a good size duck.  It is a beautiful sport bird and a prize trophy. I love the green head and the blue, black and white bands on the wings.

•  Mallards share both Allen's Rule and Bergmann's Rule.  Allen's Rule states that polar species are generally larger in size and Bergmann's Rule states that outer appendages tend to be smaller in polar species.  Therefore these ducks that winter here in Canada will be bigger and have smaller bills than those from warmer climates and those that go south for the winter.  Cool.
• There is nothing better than a duck breast marinated, stuffed with jalapeno and goat cheese and cooked on the barbeque.  Duck Poppers.