Would this mallard be considered dusky in color?

[Mallard_Bantam]

I saw this group of mallards while on a walk, and one stuck out to me due to its color. I then noticed it lacks the brown and neck ring, and thought, that looks like the dusky gene! But then I saw the blue speculum and reconsidered. I looked online at dusky domestics, and the drakes have darker speculum than hens, is it possible this is a "low quality" or low expression of the color? Possibly due to the influence of the wild type genetics?

 

[Jenbirdee]

idk but he’s handsome. i think @KathiQuacks and @cheezenkwackers can help

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I’m not sure either, but maybe. This is one of my former Hookbill drakes who was dusky (without brown like a Khaki). I do see similarities. His speculums were blue if the light hit them just right.

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

I then noticed it lacks the brown and neck ring, and thought, that looks like the dusky gene!

It would have been great if you had seen his fluff when he was still a duckling, so we could have told you if he really was (born) Dusky or not...

But : in my opinion, he is Dark Dusky - specifically.
(That's so interesting...!!)

Look at the Dark Dusky colour explained by "Dusky Feathers Waterfowl" : https://www.duskyfeatherswaterfowl.com/dusky-pattern

(God... Dark Dusky drakes are just so beautiful...!!)

But then I saw the blue speculum and reconsidered. I looked online at dusky domestics, and the drakes have darker speculum than hens, is it possible this is a "low quality" or low expression of the color? Possibly due to the influence of the wild type genetics?

I insist about the fact this Mallard drake is Dark Dusky - and yes : even if his speculum is blue.

In fact, I actually own a Light Dusky drake that has - surprisingly - a blue/purple speculum too...

Here he is - at the center of the picture :

Boy is really a Light Dusky Indian Runner drake : he is born underneath one of my chicken hens, so I can confirm he was an actual Light Dusky coloured duckling...

So, of course : he should not have a blue speculum on his wings...!

But he has got these blue/purple feathers, and even though they actually look a bit darker/purpler than an ordinary blue speculum, these feathers shine as much as any blue in the sunlight.

Here he is - in his juvenile plumage :

You can see his blue speculum shining in the sunlight... even though he is "just" a Dusky drake!

...And now, a picture I had took in JULY of his wing speculum :

Here, you actually can easily notice some differences with other blue speculum if you are searching for them.

For example : look carefully, and you will see that the white line below the speculum appears thinner than the one you would see on a Mallard drake...

This speculum is actually the same than you would see on a Spotted Dusky duck, and according to Dusky Feathers Waterfowl : "the lone harlequin allele is making the iridescent blue speculum partly come back" on Spotted Dusky ducks.

...And, of course : you will then notice "your" Mallard looks to have this exact same speculum, right...?

Meaning : your Dusky Mallard AND my Light Dusky Runner apparently carry a Harlequin allele...

...and SO : this Mallard drake is a Dark Dusky Mallard carrying a Harlequin allele.

...Voilà!

 

[Mallard_Bantam]

Hi.



It would have been great if you had seen his fluff when he was still a duckling, so we could have told you if he really was (born) Dusky or not...

But : in my opinion, he is Dark Dusky - specifically.
(That's so interesting...!!)

Look at the Dark Dusky colour explained by "Dusky Feathers Waterfowl" : https://www.duskyfeatherswaterfowl.com/dusky-pattern

(God... Dark Dusky drakes are just so beautiful...!!)



I insist about the fact this Mallard drake is Dark Dusky - and yes : even if his speculum is blue.

In fact, I actually own a Light Dusky drake that has - surprisingly - a blue/purple speculum too...

Here he is - at the center of the picture :

View attachment 3969771

Boy is really a Light Dusky Indian Runner drake : he is born underneath one of my chicken hens, so I can confirm he was an actual Light Dusky coloured duckling...

So, of course : he should not have a blue speculum on his wings...!

But he has got these blue/purple feathers, and even though they actually look a bit darker/purpler than an ordinary blue speculum, these feathers shine as much as any blue in the sunlight.

Here he is - in his juvenile plumage :

View attachment 3969775

You can see his blue speculum shining in the sunlight... even though he is "just" a Dusky drake!

...And now, a picture I had took in JULY of his wing speculum :

View attachment 3969776

Here, you actually can easily notice some differences with other blue speculum if you are searching for them.

For example : look carefully, and you will see that the white line below the speculum appears thinner than the one you would see on a Mallard drake...

This speculum is actually the same than you would see on a Spotted Dusky duck, and according to Dusky Feathers Waterfowl : "the lone harlequin allele is making the iridescent blue speculum partly come back" on Spotted Dusky ducks.

...And, of course : you will then notice "your" Mallard looks to have this exact same speculum, right...?

Meaning : your Dusky Mallard AND my Light Dusky Runner apparently carry a Harlequin allele...

...and SO : this Mallard drake is a Dark Dusky Mallard carrying a Harlequin allele.

...Voilà!

Holy cow, that's amazing! I also noticed this particular drake was kinda petite compared to the two others, and wasn't much bigger than the hen in the group. Considering the genetic factors and the size, I'm thinking it's a possibility that this bird may have call duck genetics