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I killed a mallard friday pm... greenhead, half a curly q, drake bill, brown hen pattern on rest of body. Not just brown like a juvie bird, a distinct hen pattern. by the eyes there was a small spot that looked like juvie greenhead plumage, before the irrcadesant feathers came in. Seen lots of juvie drakes before, but never one in arkansas in january, and never with defined pattern to the brown. Was told is was possibly a past breeding age hen, but that doesnt really make sense (to me) the bill would change color. So im thinking its young, but is it just werid young, or something going on he/she style. I got pictures on my phone, but clueless how to get them on here. travis

I have killed two mallard drakes in different parts of Arkansas recently that are exactly as you have described...never seen it before very strange

Gator says it was a mottled duck!

I killed this one back in 2005-2006 season. I was told it was a hen past breeding age and her estrogen had turned into testosterone, which caused her to molt into a drake. Just what I was told, I have no idea.

Tranny

Correct. Ovaries are very old or damaged. This occurs in many different kinds of birds.

i can see the coloration, and even the curly q, but will the beak change colors? thats what had me questioning the diagnois. anyone that knows pics, send me a phone # and I'll send the pic. However i look at it, its a cool bird. course I never met a duck i didnt like! travis

PMed my # to you.

Here ya go.

Here's one more.

sweet. thanks! travis

pics added.

2 years ago at our club we killed a mallard that was fully plumed drake characteristics, but with a hen bill. Turns out is was just a REALLY old hen as well. Its actually taxidermied down at our club. Been meaning to take a good picture of her and post it on here.

Old hen or a drake in drag

old hen mallard for sure