Why isn't my mallard drakes' bill yellow?

Date sort Score sort
NathanZee

NathanZee

Songster
Jul 1, 2015
1,603
262
211
Land of Sky Blue Waters
I have two mallard drakes. They are not rouens, but true mallards. They were hatched in June, and have been in breeding plumage for months now, but one of them still has a olive green bill. Is he lacking some mineral or something, or is it just a rare genetic thing? He is extremely healthy, and his bill isn't soft or moldy or anything like that.
 
it may just be a genetic thing, but to be safe what is his diet ?

and when you say olive green do u mean like really olive green or a just really dull yellow?
 
Last edited:
Mallard and Rouen drakes can have a bill that varies from a bright yellow to a drab olive green. It isn't a defect or a sign of any malnutrition. It's just his bill color! It's sort of like the black spot on the end of the bill, some have it and some don't.
 
I've seen a few drakes with a bill that's greenish or even looks blue-ish. They all look healthy, but they might not be pure breed mallards.



This is Pirate Duck with his green bill
 
Last edited:
He eats All Flock, and the rest of the ducks eat it too. My runners have extremely bright yellow bills, and everyone is healthy.

I've never seen a mallard without the black spot, that's cool.

@Kroelies , that is almost exactly the color of his bill, except he has a black line in the middle. He is definitely a pure mallard.
 
This drake showed up in the yard and his bill looks blue




Finally a drake I can tell apart from the others. Hope you don't mind me spamming your post with duck pictures
hide.gif
x)
 

Similar threads

SmithsCoop41
Rouen Ducks
Replies
4
Views
1K
SmithsCoop41
SmithsCoop41
Papaye
    • Love
I have some questions about Duck Colours Genetics
Replies
7
Views
1K
Miss Lydia
Miss Lydia
BlessedChaosHomestead
    • Like
Need some insight on my runners & mating!
Replies
4
Views
782
BlessedChaosHomestead
BlessedChaosHomestead
Kelster65
    • Love
Breed question - rouen or mallard and flying
2
Replies
15
Views
2K
Luv Ducks
L
KathiQuacks
    • Love
My drake is choosing the pond over his girls - why?
Replies
5
Views
420
KathiQuacks
KathiQuacks

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom