Hens+and+Drakes

Hens and Drakes

We call a female duck a **"hen"** and a male duck a **"drake"**. //I////t is possible to identify a hen and a drake from about 5 weeks of age. There are a number of ways of distinguishing between a hen and a drake.//
 * The tail feathers. It is the male that has curling tail feathers.
 * Color of plumage. In some breeds of duck the male are more brightly colored.
 * Color of bill. Some breeds show a different color in their bills from about 6 weeks between the male and female, where the female's bill is usually darker.
 * Body size. Drakes usually have larger bodies and heads.
 * The quack. The drake has a softer quack, whereas the female has a louder more distinctive quack. The distinction by call can be made from 5 weeks old.

//**Click on the link below to identify males and females in a variety of ducks:**// Identify a Variety of Hens and Drakes