How to tell the gender of a welsh harlequin?

[Rosekitten]

So recently I found myself as the owner of 2 pekin hens.. in my venture to find a drake I stumbled on someone selling some welsh harlequins. They were one of my dream ducks .. and if I am already caring for ducks. I may as well branch out and get a few.

Though I have been trying to be able to tell the difference between the male and females.. searches haven't been very helpful and photos are all over the place. These aren't ducklings, they'd be grown or mostly grown ducks.

Like in the first photo attached.. I only see one drake (maybe 2) there and the rest are hens?

and in the second photo that's a hen right? Trying to make sure as I'll be driving a fair ways to get them from different places.

 

[User690263]

Welsh Harlequin ducks are considered an autosexing breed, meaning their sex can be determined by physical characteristics shortly after hatching. While no duck breed is truly 100% autosexing, Welsh Harlequins come close, with a high accuracy rate in distinguishing males from females based on beak color. Ducklings can be sexed by examining their bill color within the first few days after hatching.
Males: Generally have a gray or olive-colored bill.
Females: Typically have a pink or pale bill, sometimes with a darker spot at the tip.
As they mature, the Drake's bills remain a yellowish greenish color while the hens' bills turn to a dark grey charcoal-y color.
While the beak color method is usually accurate (around 75-90% for high-quality bloodlines, slightly less for hatchery birds), it is most reliable within the first 2-3 days after hatching.
As they mature, other characteristics can help differentiate males from females:
Vocalizations: Females will develop a distinct "quack," while males will make softer, raspier sounds.
Plumage: Males will develop more vibrant plumage, including curled tail feathers, while females will be more subdued in color and have straight tail feathers.
Size: Males tend to be slightly larger and heavier than females.

As for your birds, from the pictures they all look to be female.
I attached a picture of a Welsh harlequin drake for reference.
Hope this helps!

 

[Rosekitten]

Welsh Harlequin ducks are considered an autosexing breed, meaning their sex can be determined by physical characteristics shortly after hatching. While no duck breed is truly 100% autosexing, Welsh Harlequins come close, with a high accuracy rate in distinguishing males from females based on beak color. Ducklings can be sexed by examining their bill color within the first few days after hatching.
Males: Generally have a gray or olive-colored bill.
Females: Typically have a pink or pale bill, sometimes with a darker spot at the tip.
As they mature, the Drake's bills remain a yellowish greenish color while the hens' bills turn to a dark grey charcoal-y color.
While the beak color method is usually accurate (around 75-90% for high-quality bloodlines, slightly less for hatchery birds), it is most reliable within the first 2-3 days after hatching.
As they mature, other characteristics can help differentiate males from females:
Vocalizations: Females will develop a distinct "quack," while males will make softer, raspier sounds.
Plumage: Males will develop more vibrant plumage, including curled tail feathers, while females will be more subdued in color and have straight tail feathers.
Size: Males tend to be slightly larger and heavier than females.

As for your birds, from the pictures they all look to be female.
I attached a picture of a Welsh harlequin drake for reference.
Hope this helps!
View attachment 4154443

see that's what I thought too, but that one with the group of females is being posted as the seller selling drakes. I was just making sure.. now maybe they were just posting a photo that they had on hand of the birds.. I've seen some do that.