Drakes Eclipse/Nuptial Plumage pics

[WVduckchick]

For those of us not so up on "duckage," can you educate us on the terms, please? "Nuptial" sounds like breeding season plumage. Would that make "Eclipse" their off-season feathering? Or am I way off? This is cool!

Exactly right!

 

[WVduckchick]

I'm confused about the order of the molt. Obviously I know what their normal color looks like, but what order is it?

Is it this?
View attachment 1470650View attachment 1470649 View attachment 1470646

Or is it this?
View attachment 1470650 View attachment 1470646 View attachment 1470649

I would guess the first order? Losing the green head gradually??

 

[casportpony]

I would guess the first order? Losing the green head gradually??

Until this thread I never gave it much thought.

 

[MROO]

Now...as my duck is a pekin there is no color change in his feathers, but I will post a pic cuz who does not want to see little jeffery????

Read this link:
https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2017/08/ducks-molt-too.html



I posted this link in the message above.

Fascinating! I like the pillow fight/exploding duck analogy. I wonder if the molting indicator applies to teenagers, too, 'cause every time mine go through the living room, it sure looks like SOMETHING exploded!

 

[WVduckchick]

Until this thread I never gave it much thought.

Me either.

 

[casportpony]

Me either.

Now I'm out there looking for changes in my drakes.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Well, the juvenile molt is what throws me.

out of order. . but all the same bird.
I'm assuming this drake is pastel.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

If Ralphie is a pastel variety he is seriously messed up. Lol! But I guess anything is possible.
Here is what he looks like right now in eclipse.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

This is his first eclipse molt, so it will be interesting to see how he looks when he goes back to nuptial. Maybe his head color will come in different

 

[aart]

So do they actually molt twice a year for this plumage change(nupital to eclipse)...or does the color of feathers just fade and when they molt they are back to nupital?