As for the wood duck, they point out its [ sexual ] " dimorphism of plumage ", and that the male spends the summer in eclipse plumage, while he is
12.
This plumage change also applies to adult mallard males when they transition in and out of their non-breeding eclipse plumage at the beginning and the end of the summer moulting period.
13.
Males in eclipse plumage, females and immatures are best recognised by their small size, calls, and the speculum; they are hard to tell apart from the green-winged teal however.
14.
Many ducks and some other species such as the red junglefowl have males wearing a bright nuptial plumage while breeding and a drab "'eclipse plumage "'for some months afterwards.
15.
When in eclipse plumage, the male looks similar to the female, but can be told apart by their bright yellow-orange beak, lack of any crest, and a less-pronounced eye-stripe.
16.
After the females have started laying, the males leave them and move away for shorter or longer distances, assembling in flocks on particular lakes where they moult into eclipse plumage; they will usually encounter their offspring only in winter quarters.
