Welsh Harlequins are a beautiful breed of domestic duck known for their striking plumage. The males and females have distinct differences in their appearance that can help identify their sex. Knowing the gender of your ducks is important for breeding purposes and proper flock management. With some key physical characteristics to look for, telling a male and female Welsh Harlequin apart is easy.
Male Characteristics
There are a few clear giveaways that indicate a Welsh Harlequin is a male:
Brighter Plumage
The males have much brighter, more vivid plumage than females. Their colors are bolder and more saturated. The chest is a deep chocolate brown, the face is a striking iridescent green, and the underparts are a rich claret brown. The distinctive harlequin-patterned feathers are boldly outlined in white. Overall, the male’s feathers are flashier and more eye-catching.
Curled Tail Feathers
Males have longer, more flowing tail feathers that curl up at the ends. Females have shorter, straighter tail feathers. Check for the curled tail to be sure it’s a male.
Brilliant Green Head
A bright green head that sparkles with iridescence is a dead giveaway that you’re looking at a male. The iridescent green head is perhaps the male’s most distinguishing feature. It will be notably absent on females.
Drake Feather
Males have an distinct curled feather on the rear of their body called a drake feather. This feather is long and sweeping on drakes. Check the back end for a prominent drake feather to confirm the duck is male.
Female Characteristics
Females have more muted, camouflaged plumage suited to sitting on nests. Here’s what to look for:
Drabber Plumage
Compared to the flashy males, females have much drabber plumage in more subdued shades. Their feathers are a mottled brown, tan and grey, with little to no white outlines. This helps camouflage them while nesting. The underparts are also a paler brown than the claret color of males.
Plain Head
Females lack the iridescent green coloring on the head that males have. Their heads are a plain beige-brown color with dark eye stripes. No green sheen is present.
Shorter Tail
A shorter, straighter tail is characteristic of females. Their tails do not have the longer, curved feathers of the male.
No Drake Feather
They also lack the curled drake feather on the rear that males possess. Check for the absence of a drake feather to confirm female sex.
Behavioral Differences
Beyond physical characteristics, males and females behave differently in some identifiable ways:
Quack Volume
Male Welsh Harlequins have a much louder, raspy, deeper quack than females. Their quack is hoarse and very loud. Females quack more softly at a higher pitch.
Aggression
Males are much more aggressive than females and prone to fighting with other males in the flock. They will bite, peck, flap wings, and chase to show dominance. Females rarely display these confrontational behaviors.
Mating Dance
Males perform an elaborate mating ritual dance to attract females that involves head bobbing, turning, tail feathers shaking, and wing flapping. Females do not perform any mating dance.
Nesting
Females spend much more time building nests, laying eggs, and sitting on the nest. Males do not participate in nest preparation and leave egg sitting to the females.
Broodiness
Females will pluck their own breast feathers to line the nest. Males remain fully feathered at all times and do not exhibit mothering behaviors like nesting and brooding.
Telling the Difference as Ducklings
Even as young ducklings just a few weeks old, male and female Welsh Harlequins can be differentiated by looking closely:
Bill Color
Young males will develop a light yellow bill by 2-3 weeks old, while females keep a dark gray bill. The light yellow bill is one of the earliest male identifiers.
Plumage
At around 3 weeks old, males start growing distinct white feathers around their eyes, while females remain a uniform brown. Males also develop more colorful plumage earlier.
Tail Curling
Male ducklings’ tail feathers begin curling upward after 4-5 weeks. Female ducklings maintain straight tail feathers. Check for tail curling to confirm sex.
Size
Starting at 1 week old, males are noticeably larger in size than females. This size discrepancy remains as they mature.
Behavior
Even as ducklings, males are more vocal, aggressive, and active while females are quieter and calmer. Personality and behavior can hint at sex even early on.
Summary of Differences
Here is a quick summary of how to tell male and female Welsh Harlequins apart:
Male | Female |
---|---|
Bright, bold plumage colors | Drab, mottled brown plumage |
Long, curved tail feathers | Short, straight tail feathers |
Iridescent green head | Plain beige-brown head |
Prominent drake feather | No drake feather |
Loud, raspy quack | Soft, high-pitched quack |
Aggressive, dominant | Docile, calm |
Performs mating dance | No mating dance |
Disinterested in nesting | Builds nest, broods eggs |
Larger size | Smaller size |
Conclusion
Identifying male and female Welsh Harlequins is straightforward once you know what physical and behavioral differences to look for. Focus on the male’s colorful plumage, curled tail feathers, iridescent green head, prominent drake feather, larger size, loud quack, and dominant attitude. Females can be identified by their modest speckled feathers, straight tail, plain head, absence of a drake feather, smaller size, soft quack, and mellow temperament. Pay attention to these sexual dimorphisms and you’ll be able to quickly differentiate drakes from hens. Proper sex identification will help ensure you have a productive breeding flock and healthy duck population.