What's this beautiful duckling ?

[Metz]

Definitely Mallard mum and pretty sure Mallard dad, two ducklings have usual female colours but anyone got any ideas about these two ?
They are both pretty but one is stunning.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are gorgeous! @Pyxis

 

[Pyxis]

The top one looks like a snowy drake, which is definitely possible from two mallard parents as long as both are carrying the harlequin gene

The bottom one is harder to say and I'd need more pictures. It looks like it has a throat ring, which would point to some kind of mallard-based color, but then it doesn't seem to have the mallard patterning in the rest of the feathers, so it's hard to say.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I love it when you pop up @Pyxis

 

[Metz]

The top one looks like a snowy drake, which is definitely possible from two mallard parents as long as both are carrying the harlequin gene

The bottom one is harder to say and I'd need more pictures. It looks like it has a throat ring, which would point to some kind of mallard-based color, but then it doesn't seem to have the mallard patterning in the rest of the feathers, so it's hard to say.

Showing my ignorance here but I'm fairly new to ducks, what's the harlequin gene ? If it is a snowy drake, is it likely to be fertile and if so, what will it produce ?

 

[Pyxis]

Showing my ignorance here but I'm fairly new to ducks, what's the harlequin gene ?

It's the recessive gene that causes that color The color is called 'snowy' in mallards. It's the same gene that gives welsh harlequins their colors, along with snowy Calls, etc etc.

 

[Metz]

It's the recessive gene that causes that color The color is called 'snowy' in mallards. It's the same gene that gives welsh harlequins their colors, along with snowy Calls, etc etc.

Thanks for the education
If it is a snowy drake, are they a rare bird and are they fertile?
Beautiful looking duck.

 

[Pyxis]

Thanks for the education
If it is a snowy drake, are they a rare bird and are they fertile?
Beautiful looking duck.

I wouldn't say rare, but they are a bit uncommon Yes, they are fertile.

 

[Metz]

 

[Miss Lydia]

Beautiful Muscovy are these your ducks your pond?