Drake starting to look like a hen!?

[chicken farmer]

I've had my pair of wild mallard ducks since this past fall and they bonded right away and actually have a brood of 11 the hen is raising right now. I started noticing about a month ago his feathers changing,his breast was a nice brown mahogany and it's turning brown like the hens and so is his head and wings? I've only been raising ducks for about 2 years now but do you guys know what's going on?? Thanks

 

[chicken farmer]

Also the distinct curled feather on his tail went away

 

[Virus]

Oh don't worry, he's probably just going into an eclipse. Mallards only have that green head and brown and grey feathers while mating season is happening. They should grow back some time in the winter or early spring and so will the curly tail feathers.

 

[chicken farmer]

Oh don't worry, he's probably just going into an eclipse. Mallards only have that green head and brown and grey feathers while mating season is happening. They should grow back some time in the winter or early spring and so will the curly tail feathers.

Thank you,I figured it was some kind of molt but wasn't sure

 

[Virus]

No problem!

I wondered about telling Odette's gender and learned about their molting and plumage and I'm always happy to find someone I can help.

 

[chicken farmer]