Discussion
I've just read that by the end of summer the males moult to be more camoflaged. They still look different to the females but lose the distinctive green head. I wonder if this is the reason?
linky.
https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/male-mallard...
linky.
https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/male-mallard...
Boosted LS1 said:
I've just read that by the end of summer the males moult to be more camoflaged. They still look different to the females but lose the distinctive green head. I wonder if this is the reason?
linky.
https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/male-mallard...
Correct, all the males go into eclipse plumage during summer, some species like the Wigeon dont regain full drake plumage until mid Novemberlinky.
https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/male-mallard...
or thereabouts.
Monkeylegend said:
Well, it can't be the Polish they have all left.
that was my first thought. But Duck à la orange seems a bit foreign to them. TBH, first time we've noticed it for years. No males chasing females, which sets my dog to chase the groups. Perhaps a female, she's got sympathy with the ladies. 
[quote=Who me ?]
We have had two ducks, male and female, visiting our garden and other gardens in the village for a few years but this thread has made me realise we haven't seen sight of them this year. We also had regular visits from pheasants but less so this year as well.Monkeylegend said:
Well, it can't be the Polish they have all left.
that was my first thought. But Duck à la orange seems a bit foreign to them. TBH, first time we've noticed it for years. No males chasing females, which sets my dog to chase the groups. Perhaps a female, she's got sympathy with the ladies. We do have squirrels though.
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