do you think this might be a drake?

[Ozark Girl]

I purchased some rouen duckings in March 25th ( a few days old) and they looked exactly the same. The older swedish drake I have I thought has has had his way with 1 one them, the other he cant catch..... but here is my question......In the last 2 weeks I noticed the larger of the 2 has gotten gray feathers on the lower half and a green head....if I am not wrong does this not indicate a drake? I am really confused because the one I thought was a female was because the swedish has had his way with him/her? I also checked for a white ring and there is a small one around the neck....if this is a drake what was that other drake doing to my poor little boy/girl ????

 

[FenDruadin]

The fastest and most reliable way to tell, is to check the voice. If your little one is quacking loudly and deeply, you've got a girl. A hoarse, raspy, quieter quack or peep is a boy. Plumage can be deceptive, but the voice never (that I know of) lies.

If it is a boy, then your drake was simply displaying dominance. Many behaviors we think of as sexual among ducks (and other creatures, to be precise) can actually represent a wide range of meanings. Mounting another duck can be for mating or to show who's in charge.

Hope you've got a girl, but if not, at least you'll know.

 

[Ozark Girl]

Thanks for the reply, I guess I will have to try to catch it, because when they come up to the house I have 1 adult female swedish 1 adult drake swedish, 2 hopefully female blue swedish,(also purchased in march) and the 2 rouens, I cant tell what quack comes out of who....lol I could try to take a pic tonight if you think that might be helpful...Thanks again

 

[FenDruadin]

Pics are always helpful!

I don't have rouens so I am not the expert on their gender-related coloration. However, all mallard-derivative drakes (such as rouens) will often display a curly tail feather among the boys. Again, less reliable than the voice, but if you have a curly feather at the top of the tail, it is most likely a boy. If not, it could still be a boy who is molting, has had it pulled out (often occurs with the less-dominant drake), or just hasn't developed it yet.