Feather Preening - Mallard Duck
by Yvonne Johnstone
Title
Feather Preening - Mallard Duck
Artist
Yvonne Johnstone
Medium
Photograph - Digitally Enhanced Photograph
Description
Mallard duck preening it's feathers in the evening sun. This drake is in eclipse plumage.
The males start their moult with all their bright body feathers. These are replaced by duller brown ones, much like the females. This eclipse plumage will then be worn for a few weeks or months depending on the species of duck, before another second moult occurs when the male will once again grow back his full colours.
With Mallard, the difference between the male and female when the male is in eclipse plumage is that he has a uniform yellow bill (compared to her orange bill with black markings) and a breast tinged rufous and less well marked.
Uploaded
July 30th, 2021
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