#eclipse plumage

[pointandshooter]

wood duck drake with eclipse plumage

photo: David Castenson

[magpie-feathers]

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) in Eclipse Plumage

I’ve always felt like the eclipse plumage of waterfowl is underrated. They’re much more subtle of course, but still pretty in their own way.

[animalworld]

MANDARIN DUCK Aix galericulata Santa Barbara Zoo ©Laura Quick

Mandarin ducks are sexually dimorphic and can be distinguished by their plumage and bill colors. Female mandarins are lightly colored and mostly gray. Their wings and breasts are a light brown and gray with white spots. These little females don’t get any attention though, as their male counterpart is so much more colorful.

After breeding season, males of many duck species, including Mandarin Ducks, molt the showy feathers they use to attract mates and slip into drabber attire known as eclipse plumage.

Occurs naturally in eastern China, eastern Russia and Japan; feral populations exist in parts of Europe — the majority in southeast England

Other posts you might like:

Male Mandarin Duck Portrait

Male Mandarins Breeding plumage

Pair of Mandarin Ducks

[primevalangels]

[natureeuphoria-blog]

son-pereda replied to your photo “™€ Mallard on pond @ Riverdale Farm, Toronto (bright and sunny). Each...”

looks like rather a drake in eclipse plumage...? lovely duck, anyway ♥♥

It’s possible. There was no hint of any green iridescence on its head, even in the bright light. I find their eclipse stage confusing.

[alienlegolas]

Hey birders, does anyone know if domesticated Mallard breeds display eclipse plumage? A friend who keeps khaki camels says they haven't experienced it, but I'm wondering if maybe they ate the males before they moulted? waxwingpoetic I'm not sure if you're a domesticated duck person but perhaps you have some insight?

[indigodan]

Eclipse Plumage on Flickr.

This Drake Mallard is getting ready to molt to his sex machine plumage. You can see a bit of the Green showing up this early spring day by the pond.