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Wildfowl plumage UK (1 Viewer)

NIK III

NIK III

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Please can anyone tell me if it is correct to describe this drake gadwall as in eclipse plumage or breeding plumage, or are both terms correct? Photo taken in Caithness in late May.Thanks a lot.
 

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Drake just starting to moult out of breeding plumage into eclipse plumage. Odd that it should start moult quite so early in the summer, though - unless perhaps a first-summer bird that never quite got full adult breeding plumage?
 
Thanks a lot Nutcracker. I knew less about duck plumage changes than I thought I did. Your answer has prompted me to do more reading. I feel more enlightened now.
 
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