Female Mallard bill color change

[lkanadaycreed]

Hello. I know that mallard ducklings have a black bill that changes to orange w/ some black when they get their feathers in. I am wondering if the bill continues to change after adulthood. Does some of the black fill back in sometimes? I took a picture of a female mallard at 4 months old (left). She has very little black on her bill. Is it possible that the other duck with more black on the bill (right) - taken at 7mos old - is the same duck?

 

[fatty and friends]

yep, completely normal. she might even start to get little beak freckles as she gets older

 

[lkanadaycreed]

yep, completely normal. she might even start to get little beak freckles as she gets older

Hmmm okay thank you. I am still not sure that this is the same duck, but my neighbor thinks it is. Those ducks in your pic are so cute