The feathers of a duck including the colour, patterns, and arrangement of these feathers are called the plumage.
GJM Nature Media and Bit Farms. Wood Duck Pair in Eclipse Plumage Webster defines “eclipse” as to obscure, leave out or fail. The white patches on this individual’s cheek and throat as well as the white and reddish colors on his bill mark this duck as a male.
This page contains photos of male ducks which have an eclipse plumage in the Summer. In the Spring, the male (drake) requires its colourful plumage to attract a mate during the breeding season. The eclipse plumage is worn for a few weeks or months, depending on the species of duck, before another moult occurs when the male (drake) will once again regain its colourful breeding plumage and can begin to attract a mate before the breeding season starts.
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. By scrolling through the website, you are consenting for cookies to be used to give you full access to the features of this website. Photo about Male Wood Duck in Eclipse Plumage in the water. This moult is less ‘severe’ than the first and the males are still able to fly. In the Summer after the breeding season (or start of the non-breeding season) the male (drake) begins to moult, shedding all their feathers including the flight feathers. The population of the wood duck was in serious decline in the late 19th century as a result of severe habitat loss and market hunting both for meat and plumage for the ladies' hat market in Europe. All Rights Reserved.GJM Nature Media uses cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Drakes trade their gaudy breeding plumage for drab brown feathers known as "basic" or "eclipse" plumage. Eclipse male. Each species of duck listed below will show three photos including the male in breeding plumage, female, and male in eclipse plumage for comparison. During this time for a short period they cannot fly so they find a safe place away from predators until their feathers grow back.
Although it should be said that some Southern hemisphere duck species have a similar plumage between the two sexes. Only the birds' body feathers are replaced during this molt, in which drakes develop their brightly colored "alternate" or "nuptial" plumage. The second molt occurs from fall to early winter.
The bill looks painted, a bright red-orange with black and white touches. The eclipse plumage is much duller than the breeding plumage and often the male will resemble the female duck. The male wood duck takes its colorful plumage to an extreme. The first molt occurs shortly after nesting. This moult results in the eclipse plumage which gives the male (drake) a much duller plumage similar to the female (duck). Females are drabber, with subtle iridescence on overall grayish-brown bodies, spotted flanks, and a white teardrop surrounding each eye. The eclipse plumage is worn for a few weeks or months, depending on the species of duck, before another moult occurs when the male (drake) will once again regain its colourful breeding plumage and can begin to attract a mate before the breeding season starts. Juveniles appear similar to females, as do non-breeding males in eclipse plumage (from June to September), although they have the red bill and white facial markings. The female (duck) tends to moult slightly later when the ducklings are older.
In breeding plumage, it has a green crown and black face offset by white slashes reaching up from its white throat. By ending unregulated hunting and takin… In response to the Migratory Bird Treaty established in 1916 and enactment of the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, wood duck populations began to recover slowly. Image of baby, mallard, pond - 42315010 He discusses the partial or total obscuring of one celestial body by another, making one seem less brilliant, but he makes no mention of the less brilliant plumage of male ducks in the fall. Some ducks have a very spectacular and colourful plumage such as the Mandarin, American Wood Duck, and Baikal Teal to name just a few. Grayish brown plumage with whiter throat, bright red eye, and red and white bill. This bird is exhibiting his nonbreeding season or eclipse plumage. This second moult is less severe and only involves the body feathers so that the ducks can still take to flight.
By the beginning of the 20th century, wood ducks had virtually disappeared from much of their former range. The intensely colorful head of the breeding season male has become more subdued and resembles the female wood duck in coloration.
Generally it is the male (drake) that has the colourful plumage while the female (duck) has a more duller and drab appearance.