Mallard sexing question

[rmcginty81]

Thank you! Time to start chasing ducks! I haven't picked them up in about 3 weeks - the Rouen in front is older by several weeks and the 2 mallards were two different sizes as chicks.

 

[rmcginty81]

One more thing - do drakes or hens prefer the pool over one another? Or am I overanalyzing because I'm impatient haha!

 

[rmcginty81]

Update - the orange billed mallard doesn't QUACK like the smaller mallard in the middle. drake also maybe? I see some green in the head. Definitely a big difference of quacking sound.

 

[jolenesdad]

My mallards were always different sizes and eventually sort of evened out.

My biggest player in the pool is a female. The drake loves it too but one of the girls is nuts and swims so fast she shoots herself out of the pool all the time.

How old are they? If it's a green tint to the head it doesn't mean much females will have that sometimes too. If he is molting into his green head he will also be molting all over.

 

[rmcginty81]

I wish I knew their age - The orange billed duck hasn't started molting yet so I guess the green in its head doesn't mean much. The big Rouen drake is molting its breast and head, so after you telling me, it's definitely a drake.

The smallest Mallard, which sounds like it's a female does the SAME thing in the pool - she gets too much speed and throws a lot of water, as well as herself, straight out of the pool!