Ways to tell gender of duck?

[Poultrybreeder]

I bought two ducks recently, a drake and a hen, but I am starting to wonder if they are both drakes. I am aware of the voice difference, and tail difference, as well as size, are there any other ways to tell their gender?

 

[Pyxis]

What breed are these? Are they muscovies or a mallard derived breed? My answer below is for mallard derived breeds.

A female duck will have a loud, braying quack. A male will have a low, raspy one. That's the main way to tell them apart that never changes. A male will also develop a drake feather on his tail, but that falls off during a molt and they don't get them until later in development so it's not a 100% indicator, since a drake could very well not have one depending on when you are looking at him.

Additionally, in some breeds the male in nuptial plumage looks very different from the female. That is sometimes only during certain times of the year, however, and a male in juvenile plumage or eclipse plumage can look just like a female even in breeds like mallards that have a very large difference during mating season.

So the best way to tell is their voice.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

One is a Blue Swedish, the other is a White Pekin

 

[Pyxis]

Then yes, voice will be your best bet. What age are they?

Video above shows the difference in voice between a drake and duck.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

The Pekin is 2 years, the Swedish is 1year

 

[Pyxis]

Then yeah, you should definitely be able to tell by their voices Compare to the video I posted above and you should be able to tell what you have.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Thank you!

 

[FlyWheel]

I was told to look at their tail; if some of the feathers are dramatically curved upward, it's a drake.

It's worked 100% of the time for every duck I've had.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

I am 99% positive that I was sold two males. Here are their pics:

Here are their sounds

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Or not, maybe tomorrow