Question about my ducklings

[TheDrake]

They do look like mallards... But hens not drakes, right?

 

[Virus]

Actually both female AND male mallards get brown feathers at first. My mallard is a drake and they look just like him. If there was more white on their tails then they'd probably be hens. Also the heads and chests are very different shades of brown if male.

 

[Virus]

Though the one on the right looks more like a hen to me but I could be wrong. Feathers aren't the best way to sex a duck.

 

[TheDrake]

Yeah I guess their voice would be the best way to tell, huh? May I see a recent pic of Odette?

 

[Virus]

Sure. Not the best pic (I have plenty others if you want) but one of the most recent and I just have it on hand. He was sitting with me while I was writing.

 

[TheDrake]

He is very cute. How old is he? And when do they get the green head?

 

[Virus]

He just turned 2 months old Monday. He probably won't get his green feathers till late winter early spring. The colors you see males have is breeding plumage so they only have it during mating season and that's over now. SO he may molt and just be in eclipse plumage. So they colors depend on when the duck was born really.

 

[Virus]

Here this pic may help

 

[TheDrake]

Wow, I never knew that!!!! And I can't believe in just 3 weeks my ducks will be that big and fully feathered!!!

 

[TheDrake]

Yes thank you so much for the pics and the education!