Why is it that sometimes when Drakes molt, they show they lines of a female on their head after molt

[Tlammy]

What causes it and how do you prevent it? Its like they didnt complete it.

 

[desertdarlene]

That sounds pretty normal for mallards. When they molt, they look like females. In the fall/winter, they will be brightly colored again.

 

[Tlammy]

Yeah... its like their bald in those lines...?? Thats normal? All of the green will come back and refill those lines?

 

[desertdarlene]

They shouldn't be bald, but they should have brown heads with black stripes like females do. The green will be back in a few months. Ducks molt all their feathers once a year and their body feathers twice a year, so they have two "costumes".