Mallard with green head at 4 weeks?

[DuckMom2019]

I have 6 mallards that are 4 weeks old today. One of them (Willie) is already developing green feathers on his head. If I’m remembering correctly, my last male mallard (about 10 yrs ago) didn’t start getting green feathers until he was around 3 months old and was molting his first set of brown feathers.
Has anyone else had them get colors this early? Can I safely assume Willie is a boy? No one else is showing any green yet although he is the biggest and is usually a day or two ahead of the rest.

 

[chickens really]

Post a picture..

 

[quackiemama]

Yes pic please. That is pretty interesting

 

[cymbaline]

Is it just a green sheen, like this?

They were about 6 weeks here, but I remember freaking out because I thought I got 3 boys, lol.

 

[DuckMom2019]

Is it just a green sheen, like this?
View attachment 1794381
They were about 6 weeks here, but I remember freaking out because I thought I got 3 boys, lol.

Not really a sheen, it looks like real green feathers to me. I could be wrong though. I can’t remember any of my prior mallards having anything like it. I’ve had 2 boys and a girl. I will try post a pic tomorrow. He’s unfortunately my craziest and most dramatic one too, so getting the pic might be a challenge but I will try my darnedest!

 

[DuckMom2019]

Here he is.

 

[MagpieDucks]

View attachment 1795971 View attachment 1795973View attachment 1795986
Here he is.

Both genders will have the green stripe on the head while young.

 

[chickens really]

View attachment 1795971 View attachment 1795973View attachment 1795986
Here he is.

I'd say Drake. You will know once it has its juvenile molt soon.

 

[MallardMomx2]

Yes, drake. My mallard ducklings green heads started coming in very early this year as well!

 

[Wild Duck observer]

I have 6 mallards that are 4 weeks old today. One of them (Willie) is already developing green feathers on his head. If I’m remembering correctly, my last male mallard (about 10 yrs ago) didn’t start getting green feathers until he was around 3 months old and was molting his first set of brown feathers.
Has anyone else had them get colors this early? Can I safely assume Willie is a boy? No one else is showing any green yet although he is the biggest and is usually a day or two ahead of the rest.

I have been observing a flock of Mallard ducks on a tidal part of the Mersey river in Nova Scotia.In the third week of January 2024 a tiny (smaller than pigeon sized) duck appeared in the flock.When I got a good look at him a few days later he has male head colours.A brown band on top then the distinctive green then more chestnut brown.I don't know how unusual the colouring is but I am very curious about the hen that hatched him in early January. It is now Jan 8 he can't be more than 4-5 wks old but he does seem to be growing.It must be rugged going with all the floating ice in the river.I hope he survives.He can also fly some.He just doesn't seem like other young ducks I see online.He is facing seasonal January weather. -5 to -11 C nights some snow and fierce winds.