Juv. Mandarin duck? (1 Viewer)

[seggs]

This drake was on a local busy park lake today . At first I thought it might be a drake going into eclipse moult stage but am I right to think this could be a Juv.?. A full adult drake has been seen here and the surrounding areas over the last month or so on and off.

 

[nickderry]

I think the dark bill indicates a young bird aquiring adult plumage, an eclipse drake should have a pink bill.

 

[seggs]

I think the dark bill indicates a young bird aquiring adult plumage, an eclipse drake should have a pink bill.

Thanks Nick, the feather detail on the head is what got me thinking Juv. it seems to be growing in.

 

[phil baber]

Sorry Nick,
I tend to disagree. I see a lot of Mandarins in Glos. Many of which are now undergoing moult to eclipse as males. IMO this is an adult drake growing new eclipse feathers, and shedding the "finery" ones.
I wouldn't expect a juvenile male to be acquiring full male plumage at this time of year. Note the new grey feathers coming through in "pin-sheaths" on the rear cheek of 2nd photo...
Also there is no problem with the bill colour. An adult male's bill can go quite dark when entering into eclipse.
QUOTE:"A full adult drake has been seen here and the surrounding areas over the last month or so on and off."
This would be him going into eclipse Seggs.

See this thread for some more info...(esp. Joern Lehmhus's comments)

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=35784

 

[nickderry]

Sorry Nick,
I tend to disagree. I see a lot of Mandarins in Glos. Many of which are now undergoing moult to eclipse as males. IMO this is an adult drake growing new eclipse feathers, and shedding the "finery" ones.
I wouldn't expect a juvenile male to be acquiring full male plumage at this time of year. Note the new grey feathers coming through in "pin-sheaths" on the rear cheek of 2nd photo...
Also there is no problem with the bill colour. An adult male's bill can go quite dark when entering into eclipse.
QUOTE:"A full adult drake has been seen here and the surrounding areas over the last month or so on and off."
This would be him going into eclipse Seggs.

See this thread for some more info...(esp. Joern Lehmhus's comments)

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=35784

I will bow to your greater research on the subject - I just googled for a manadarin in eclipse with a pink bill and assumed! Adult into eclipse it is. :t:

 

[seggs]

Cheers Nick and Phil.

 

[seggs]

Update on the eclipsed Mandarin..."finery" completely gone. Interesting to see this plumage change within a week of so.