Is anyone familiar with this?

[J.R.]

Boy I really hope it’s nuptial molting and not a water issue. The new pond set up cost a pretty penny and nearly killed me putting it in the ground!!

 

[BlackHackle]

Boy I really hope it’s nuptial molting and not a water issue. The new pond set up cost a pretty penny and nearly killed me putting it in the ground!!

I'm sure it's just nuptial molting, I'm a pretty unknowledgable person when it comes to ducks

 

[J.R.]

Yes he is going into a nuptial molt...Normal..

Yes he is going into a nuptial molt...Normal..

Have you ever had a duck go through a nuptial molt mid summer? The very quick lookup I did on it made it sound like it happens late winter/early spring just prior to breeding.

 

[chickens really]

Domestic Ducks are not wild ducks and will nuptial molt anytime...

 

[J.R.]

Yup that makes sense. I’ll chalk that up as my afternoon “duh” moment

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I am pretty sure nuptial plumage is breeding plumage -the pretty green head which happens in late winter-early spring. The more drab, girlish colors is eclipse plumage. My boys just got their eclipse plumage. My 1/2 Khaki, 1/2 Appleyard drake gets his facial stripes back in this plumage.