The female (duck) tends to moult slightly later when the ducklings are older. Attached below is a photo of one of my mallard drakes. Although it should be said that some Southern hemisphere duck species have a similar plumage between the two sexes. The eclipse plumage is worn for a few weeks or months, depending on the species of duck, before another moult occurs when the male (drake) will once again regain its colourful breeding plumage and can begin to attract a mate before the breeding season starts. This is a wild duck that appears to be a mixed breed.
The eclipse plumage is much duller than the breeding plumage and often the male will resemble the female duck. Mallard drakes have olive-yellow bills, too.
Suddenly there seem to be many female ducks along the river, but no colorful males of these common year-round species.There’s a scientific reason. Birders who can easily identify mallards—males, females, eclipse males, and mallards in flight—can use that expertise to … Ornithologists, however, have studied the annual phenomenon extensively.
The mallard is a medium-sized waterfowl species that is often slightly heavier than most other dabbling ducks. In the mallard drake a white ring separates the bright-green head and neck from the chestnut breast, the back is grayish brown, the tail white, and the wings have blue patches. Either way, a mallard of some description!The faded chestnut patch, splotchy green head point to this bird being a mallard drake probably just now leaving eclipse plumage.
The second molt is less severe, and the ducks retain their ability to fly and escape from predators.
He discusses the partial or total obscuring of one celestial body by another, making one seem less brilliant, but he makes no mention of the less brilliant plumage of male ducks in the fall. Males acquire the same camouflage as the females, a useful protection while they cannot fly. Males at this hapless stage tend to gather in small groups and skulk along shores with reeds and grasses, laying low until new flight feathers develop. By the end of summer the bright feathers of spring might be difficult to recognize. This moult results in the eclipse plumage which gives the male (drake) a much duller plumage similar to the female (duck). It is 50–65 cm (20–26 in) long – of which the body makes up around two-thirds – has a wingspan of 81–98 cm (32–39 in), and weighs 0.72–1.58 kg (1.6–3.5 lb). But those familiar with waterfowl understand the term might refer to the feathers, or plumage, of a duck or goose.All birds molt, a process of dropping old feathers and growing new ones. Thank you! During this time for a short period they cannot fly so they find a safe place away from predators until their feathers grow back. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. But ducks shed all of their outer feathers when they molt, including their wing feathers. Prev Next 291 views Christine W September 5, 2015 Bridgewater, Nova Scotia Date shot: September 4, 2015.
By about 20 February all lighted birds, both male and female, were moulting and the male plumage was gradually being replaced by eclipse. This drake will eventually have muted colors, more like a Mallard hen, and will lose its ability to fly until new flight feathers grow in. Each species of duck listed below will show three photos including the male in breeding plumage, female, and male in eclipse plumage for comparison. Mallards are the most familiar and most widespread Many birds molt in the fall to replace worn plumage, and then again in spring to acquire their most alluring outfits.But waterfowl—ducks and geese—choose their mates earlier than songbirds. This second moult is less severe and only involves the body feathers so that the ducks can still take to flight. The new feathers keep the birds in good shape for flying, keeping warm, and sometimes for breeding showiness. There are a fair few of those about where I live, since I'm near a river and a lake, but this looks much more like a transition from eclipse to me. Waterfowl instinctively know how important their feathers are, and do the work to maintain them.Webster defines “eclipse” as to obscure, leave out or fail. By using The Spruce, you accept our Eclipse Mallard (cc) Will George.
The Sacramento River gains a steady supply of feathers floating downstream, and no male ducks are to be seen. When trying to identify mallards in the field, look for these clues: Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Even in eclipse the drakes have showier rufous breast feathers. Most birds lose a few feathers at a time, replacing them piecemeal without seriously disrupting their lifestyle. Now here comes the clever bit. The feathers have small barbs that lock their parts together, and combing them helps keep the birds smooth, warm, and attractive.
The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Males of the "superciliosa" type resembled a Pacific black duck with a less distinctly marked head, the supercilium and cheeks being buffy and the cheek (malar) stripe hardly visible.
Eclipse plumage allows ducks to quickly molt into fresh breeding feathers.
392. On the Eclipse Plumage of the Mallard 441 ... On 7 February drake No. Such great information. But those familiar with waterfowl understand the term might refer to the feathers, or plumage, of a duck or goose. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 25.7 to 30.6 cm (10.1 to 12.0 in), the bill is 4.4 to 6.1 cm (1.7 to 2.4 in), and the tarsus is 4.1 to 4.8 cm (1.6 to 1.9 in).
Male mallards are distinctive and easily recognized by their rich colors and plumage patterns. All of this happens in timely fashion—in the fall, just before the duck dating season opens.Female mallards, wood ducks, and mergansers are always attired in camouflage, so they only molt once—but again, it is in time to have fresh feathers for understated attractiveness when the males come looking.Geese also molt in the fall, but they usually mate for life, and seem to dress for long-term health and beauty rather than for just a brief courting period. This page contains photos of male ducks which have an eclipse plumage in the Summer.
The “black saddle” is just coming in. On … These are replaced by duller brown ones, much like the females. Note the orange bill.