Where are males mallard? (1 Viewer)

Mila

Well-known member

• Aug 12, 2017

• #1

There are a few lakes in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
Mallard ducks were in abundance at all of these lakes.
They used to swim in groups (males only) or one, two males following a female.
I have never seen a single female, even the one with chicks usually had a male that followed the family.
Now all males appeared to be gone.
Here's a picture I took yesterday.


https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4428/35689313414_3e68b5fc84_o.jpg

What ducks do you see there and where are males mallard?

Thanks.

 

Paul Chapman

Well-known member

• Aug 12, 2017

• #2

A number of male Mallards in that picture in their moulting summer eclipse plumage which is female-like with a giveaway yellow bill and rufous breast. See explanations here:-

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/902/p/84712/573681.aspx

All the best

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Aug 12, 2017

• #3

Most of my local male mallards here in PA are in eclipse plumage right now, too. Tis the season.

 

MTem

Well-known member

• Aug 12, 2017

• #4

Yes a good half of those in the photo are males.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Aug 12, 2017

• #5

You can still tell the males apart by their plain dull yellow bills; females have mottled orange-and-brown bills :t: