Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: Sawbuck on January 05, 2010, 07:01:53 PM

Title: One odd duck
Post by: Sawbuck on January 05, 2010, 07:01:53 PM: Shot these two last month during the snow, looked like two drakes flying in so I shot them both. I figure either the big guy is batting for the other team or he likes his girls pretty butch. Have you guys seen this before? Drake head and wings, hen body and tail. I got a hen last year that had some green blended in on her head, but nothing like this. Is it very common?
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/13209/DSC00345.JPG)
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/13209/DSC00342.JPG)
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/13209/DSC00341.JPG)
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: bobcat on January 05, 2010, 07:04:16 PM: I'm not so sure that's a mallard. Are you sure it's not a cross between a mallard and something else, like a shoveler?
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: Hillbilly270 on January 05, 2010, 07:08:05 PM: did you mount that thing? thats wierd. i've never seen anything like it.
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: pjb3 on January 05, 2010, 07:12:57 PM: Very unique, looks like a mallard drake hen :dunno:
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: Sawbuck on January 05, 2010, 07:15:42 PM: Quote from: bobcat on January 05, 2010, 07:04:16 PM
I'm not so sure that's a mallard. Are you sure it's not a cross between a mallard and something else, like a shoveler?
I was wondering the same thing, but it had a mallard bill, and the head was green. I think its one mixed up Mallard.
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/13209/DSC00343.JPG)
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: weathergirl on January 05, 2010, 07:16:31 PM: It could be in the midst of molting to his breeding plumage. The photo shown on this link looks very similar:

http://www.deltawaterfowl.org/research/AAB/031-hybrid.php
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: h2ofowlr on January 05, 2010, 07:24:03 PM: I shot one similar to the one weathergirl posted a few years back. We also got a few early in the season that looked like the one above. Just in the midst of molting as mentioned.
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: pjb3 on January 05, 2010, 07:27:59 PM: I kinda was kiddin', it is a molting drake :hello:
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: washelkhntr on January 05, 2010, 07:44:41 PM: Maybe it's one of them ducks that can't decide on their sexual gender. You know, like Rue Paul. :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: h2ofowlr on January 05, 2010, 07:47:59 PM: We are close to Seattle, so that might explain why there are so many around. :chuckle:
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: ICEMAN on January 05, 2010, 07:53:53 PM: Any chance you shot that out near Hanford?
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: Sawbuck on January 05, 2010, 07:56:53 PM: Quote from: ICEMAN on January 05, 2010, 07:53:53 PM
Any chance you shot that out near Hanford?
No, Canada, I wonder whats going on up there? :chuckle:
Thanks for the info weathergirl, I have never heard of that before.
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: Skyhigh on January 05, 2010, 08:30:55 PM: It could be a he-she.....I have heard that at times when birds get older they take on testosterone or lose it....which can mess with their plummage coloration..

Here is an all female where it counts but obvious something is going on with the plummage...I call her a she-he........also this picture was taken in February.......I got to meet her again this past October and she was in very similiar plummage

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.imageevent.com%2Fottoloader%2Fhuntingstuff%2Fwebsize%2Fmallard%2520005.JPG&hash=272652ba71313410627479f88d7cb6fd68dd5fdf)
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: Hillbilly270 on January 05, 2010, 08:34:23 PM: u sure thats a female? I see a curl and the beak has black. not that you didn't check :yike:
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: h2ofowlr on January 05, 2010, 08:58:53 PM: My bet is skyhigh is right on this one.
I didn't check the junk on mine to confirm.
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: Tealer on January 05, 2010, 09:59:25 PM: My guess is Skyhigh looked up her skirt, when they were banding her.

As for that original duck I would like to know what causes that I shot one just like it two years ago.
Title: Re: One odd duck
Post by: C-Money on January 06, 2010, 06:42:47 AM: I have killed a few that look the same way in my years. They have the same shape and size of a Mallard duck, and they taste like a Mallard duck. :cue: