Mallard is not considered a blue color. Mallard is a dark greenish-brown color that is similar to the chest and head feathers of a male mallard duck. While mallard contains some blue tones, it is not categorized as a pure blue color.
The Meaning of “Blue” Color
In color theory, blue is considered one of the three primary colors along with red and yellow. The wavelength of pure blue light is between 450-495 nanometers. On the RGB color model, pure blue is defined as RGB(0, 0, 255). On the CMYK color model, which is used for print, pure blue is 100% Cyan ink.
For a color to be classified as blue, it must contain mostly blue tones with minimal amounts of other colors. Blue can range from light to dark but retains its pure blue appearance. Common blue colors include azure, navy, cobalt, and sapphire.
What is the Mallard Color?
Mallard refers to a specific greenish-brown color said to resemble the chest and head feathers of male mallard ducks. It is a medium dark shade that contains hints of green, brown, and blue tones.
The first recorded use of “mallard” as a color name in English was in 1887. It was included in several early color dictionaries and encyclopedias as one of the many shades of brown and green. Some sample RGB values for mallard include:
| RGB(113, 166, 126) |
| RGB(129, 142, 118) |
| RGB(166, 135, 97) |
These RGB combinations produce a medium to dark greenish-brown color. There are some slight variations depending on the specific RGB values.
Mallard Contains Blue Tones But Is Not A Blue
When examining mallard on the color spectrum, it falls somewhere between green and brown. While it does contain some blue pigment, the amount is minimal compared to the dominant green and brown hues.
Pure blue pigment absorbs all light wavelengths except blue. Mallard absorbs much of the blue wavelength to produce its muddy green-brown appearance. The inclusion of blue tones does not make mallard a variety of blue. At best, it can be described as a “blue-green brown.”
There are several ways to determine if a color should be classified as blue:
- It appears on the blue side of the color wheel between green and violet
- Its RGB or hex code is mostly blue values
- It subjectively appears to be a shade of blue to the human eye
Based on these criteria, mallard does not qualify as a true blue. While it has some blue pigment, its appearance is predominantly greenish-brown. It falls outside the blue range on the color wheel.
Comparison to True Blues
To understand why mallard is not considered a blue, it helps to compare it side-by-side with some true blue shades:
| Color | RGB Code | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Navy Blue | RGB(0, 0, 128) | Dark pure blue |
| Blue Green | RGB(13, 152, 186) | Light greenish blue |
| Mallard | RGB(113, 166, 126) | Medium greenish brown |
When compared to true blues like navy and blue-green, mallard looks very different. It lacks the vivid blue appearance and instead has an earthy, brownish-green tone.
Uses of the Mallard Color
Despite not being a true blue, mallard has served as a useful color name and pigment. Some of its main uses include:
- A duck feather color – Mallard got its name from the green and brown head feathers of male mallard ducks.
- Military and camouflage – Mallard green is used in military uniforms and gear as an earthy, natural tone that blends into many environments.
- Paints and coatings – Artists paints like “mallard green” offer the specific duck feather hue.
- Cars and vehicles – Some vehicles like the Buick Riviera and Dodge Ram trucks have used mallard green colors.
Mallard can provide an organic, earthy greenish tone. It is darker and browner compared to bright blue greens. While mallard contains a small blue component, it is predominantly a shade of green-brown.
Conclusion
Mallard is best described as a greenish-brown color inspired by duck feathers. While it contains minimal blue pigment, mallard lacks the vivid blue tone to be classified as a true blue. Instead, it falls in the range of greens and browns due to its dominant earthy appearance.
There are many shades that blur the lines between color families. However, mallard clearly diverges from pure blues when examined on the color wheel and color spectrum. So, while mallard may have a touch of blue, it is not considered a blue color.
