Good question! (Just checked iBird app, which says. “Juvenile resembles female but has more white on chin, a faint white eye-ring, and duller bill. Eclipse male resembles both but is more distinctly dark and light gray mottled.”)
I didn’t know what an “eclipse male “ was, but Brittanica says, “Eclipse plumage, typical of ducks but found in other birds as well, is dull, female-like plumage worn by the male for a month or more in summer after breeding. It “eclipses” his usual bright plumage. He soon molts and is flightless until he grows new…”
Are they all females or does the different male colouring come in later in the year?
Good question! (Just checked iBird app, which says. “Juvenile resembles female but has more white on chin, a faint white eye-ring, and duller bill. Eclipse male resembles both but is more distinctly dark and light gray mottled.”)
I didn’t know what an “eclipse male “ was, but Brittanica says, “Eclipse plumage, typical of ducks but found in other birds as well, is dull, female-like plumage worn by the male for a month or more in summer after breeding. It “eclipses” his usual bright plumage. He soon molts and is flightless until he grows new…”