Without certain knowledge, determining the sex of a bird can be very difficult. Waterfowl species are no exception. Many species of ducks are characterized by the absence of typical features that help reliably determine sex. To understand how you can distinguish a duck from a drake, you should pay attention to certain features. These include external differences, gender characteristics, behavior, and voice.
What does a drake look like?
The differences between females and males can be significant or minimal. The wild drake is characterized by the following visual features:
- large sizes;
- massive beak;
- triangular forehead;
- expressive plumage of bright colors;
- some feathers in the beard area;
- the presence of a small feather tuft on the neck.
Duck appearance
Wild ducks are characterized by the following visual features:
- monotonous plumage - it mainly has dull and muted shades;
- trapezoidal forehead;
- lack of curls on the tail.
Sometimes ducks are larger than drakes. This is determined by the composition of the feed and certain housing conditions. Therefore, focusing solely on this feature is not recommended.
Main external differences
To distinguish birds by gender, you should focus on the data presented in the table:
| Parameter | Drake | Duck |
| Weight | Drakes have a large and wide body | Females weigh about half as much as males |
| Feathers | The color of the plumage is determined by the breed, but it is bright and elegant | Muted and light shades of feathers dominate |
| Head | Males are characterized by a long head and a wide triangular forehead. In this case, the skin goes behind the eyes. The beak is large in size and has a rich red tint. | The extension from the beak in the forehead area has a trapezoidal shape |
| Neck | It is quite long and decorated with a bright crest. | There is no beard on the neck |
| Tail | Several feathers curl into a ring - this sign is noticeable already at 3 months | No tail curls |
It will also be possible to determine the sex by looking at the cloaca. To do this, the bird should be placed on a flat surface. It is recommended to do this with your back down. After this, push back the skin in the cloaca area, lifting it towards the abdomen. Females are characterized by the presence of 2 small balls in this zone.
Sometimes poultry farmers are faced with the task of determining the sex of small ducklings. There are several methods that can be used:
- Take the duckling by the paws and evaluate its behavior if you turn it head down. If the bird expresses nervousness or concern, it can be said that it is a male. He tries to spin and turn his head in different directions. Females behave calmly, maintaining a motionless position.
- Males of most breeds are characterized by a pugnacious disposition. They often get into fights. From a very early age, drakes strive to pull out each other's feathers or try to peck at an opponent.
- Pay attention to anatomical features. There are special markings near the larynx of birds. Males have ball-shaped formations in the upper part of the chest. They can be easily felt.
Some differences also depend on the breed. Thus, males of the Bashkir breed are characterized by expressive curls that are located in the tail area. At the same time, females have even feathers. This feature is clearly visible and helps novice bird breeders determine the sex of birds.
The plumage of Pekingese birds will not help identify gender. The color of the feathers is the same in females and males. The birds are covered with white feathers, which are located from beak to tail.
To assess gender, it is worth considering the weight of ducks. The average weight of males is 3.9 kilograms, and females - 3.5.
How are females distinguished from males by character?
To determine the sex of birds, you should focus on their character. The drakes let the ducks pass ahead. At the same time, they stay behind and a little to the side. A tendency towards conflict will also help you recognize males. Drakes are noisy and pugnacious.This behavior helps herd leaders emphasize their dominant position. At the same time, their aggression will be directed towards other males. Ducks do not have a tendency to conflict, have a calm character and do not try to fly away.
Sometimes there is a need to determine the sex of day-old ducklings. To do this, it is recommended to do the following:
- Take the duckling in your right hand and hug it around the chest.
- Place the thumb of your left hand to your throat, raising your neck.
- With your index finger, feel the area where the collarbone and shoulder blades meet. It has a triangular shape.
- In the center there is or is no round formation, which is shaped like a bubble. Its presence is typical for males. If there is no bubble, then it is a female.
Determining gender by voice
To determine gender at home, you should rely on the voice. It is much more common to hear any sounds from a duck. The familiar quack represents the voice of a duck. At the same time, the drakes hiss if they are disturbed.
Sometimes other types of vocal accompaniment are present in the flock. These include:
- whistling;
- cackle;
- overflows.
If the flock is alarmed, it will be easy to identify the sounds made by the males. Drakes have a louder voice compared to females. But in general, they are considered more silent and do not tend to use their voice to communicate. Females are forced to constantly make sounds - they are considered part of the maternal instinct and attract the attention of ducklings.
To distinguish a drake from a duck, it is worth considering a number of key characteristics.First of all, it is recommended to focus on the appearance of the individuals. It is also important to take into account voice, behavior, and gender characteristics.
