Wire's story of survival

[Spyderk117]

Here is a video, at 1:14 you can here my Mallard drake. And at 3:01 you can here the Mallard hen. Which noise does Wire make?

 

[NathanZee]

He makes noise but its never really been a quack, more of a honk. I noticed today his tail feathers have a green tinge to them. Here's a pic of the feathers above his speculum feathers

From that picture I am 95% sure she's a hen. Drakes usually have more silvery wing covert feathers, and a darker tail, even as juveniles.

 

[Amiga]

Just wanted to mention that some individual ducks do not fit in perfectly with typical characteristics.

For example, I have two female ducks - with the curly drake feather. But they are for sure certain females.

Einz screamed so much at a certain time in her life that she became rather hoarse. Not quite drake voice, but not the typical female quack.

While Wire does look like a female duck - he or she may be one of those unusual ducks.

 

[GoldenFlight]

Just wanted to mention that some individual ducks do not fit in perfectly with typical characteristics.

For example, I have two female ducks - with the curly drake feather. But they are for sure certain females.

Einz screamed so much at a certain time in her life that she became rather hoarse. Not quite drake voice, but not the typical female quack.

While Wire does look like a female duck - he or she may be one of those unusual ducks.

Wow that is interesting! Have they always had curly feathers? Does Einz still sound like that?

 

[Amiga]

Einz still has that high-pitched hoarse voice most of the time but she can use a lower voice when she wants to. Go figure.

Vier and Zehn, my girls with curls, did not have curls until after we brought a drake into the household. Some people think that is in response to the drake - in other words, the existing flock needs a "drake" to protect them from the new guy. Most of the Runners really don't like him. Long story....