my welsh harlequin is VERY dark

[Crazy Maizie]

She's home. ❤ Plus, she's gorgeous. I wouldn't worry about coloring.

 

[ibarbidahl]

So she's a crossbred duck. She's beautiful. I had a duck that looked a lot like her come from a chocolate runner and a WH. Trout, penciled or wild type, all the same thing. brown with brown and the previous poster is right - it's the reversion to what works for the wild birds.
Glad she's found a home. She deserves you.

 

[aaronmg]

So she's a crossbred duck. She's beautiful. I had a duck that looked a lot like her come from a chocolate runner and a WH. Trout, penciled or wild type, all the same thing. brown with brown and the previous poster is right - it's the reversion to what works for the wild birds.
Glad she's found a home. She deserves you.

I've had her over a week and her colouring has grown on me, brown eyes, legs and feathers with a dark grey bill is a good pallet i think. can I ask you what you mean by reversion? i've never heard this term used in this context

 

[ibarbidahl]

Its a a genetics thing. She's carrying loads of genes and displaying the genes that are "wild type" rather than Welsh coloring.

 

[MartinFamilyHomestead]

She looks like a mallard. I saw the ducks you mentioned the owner had. You didn’t say welsh harlequin? If he had one and it bred with a dark duck that would be why she’s dark. Genetics are funny and welsh Harley’s were bred specifically for the light feather trait but it is easy to look once cross bred. Also if he wasn’t truthful to begin with who knows if he even hatch her out and it’s from his flock or like you mentioned he could have got rid of her parents before you saw the birds he had

For labeling purposes I think you’re same to say mallard or if you ever hatch any of her babies be clear and say mallard cross then there will be no confusion for any recipient getting a duckling and will save them the hassle you went through of wondering