The Only Drake ?

In a group of 15 or so ducks at the pond only one of them appeared to be an adult male, which seemed strange. But then I have heard that during late summer males tend to lose their brighter coloured feathers only to get them back via a moult, in fall. So, is this really the only male or are some of the duller looking birds just males, in their quiet plumage, waiting to regain their more colourful look in a few weeks?

[tony gig]

BEAUTIFUL...Fav

[Krista Marson]

reminds me of an article I just read today about how birds see in UV: https://www.boredpanda.com/human-vs-bird-vision/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

[Walks @ 7]

He almost looks a bit shy, I never knew that they lost their bright plumage.

[Heather]

Beautiful colours (and new information for me, Joanne).

[Joanne Diochon]

@blueberry1222 interesting article. Especially the part about the differences between gender which they can see and we can’t.

[Joanne Diochon]

@joysabin I didn’t know either. Apparently they get duller looking during the later summer then moult and get brighter again in the fall.
I’ll have to observe more and pay more attention before I can confirm for myself.

[Peter Dulis]

Cute