" Ducks molt very quickly. In just a few weeks, they lose all their feathers and grow a whole new set, or plumage. Many times, drakes get together in large groups to molt. They pick a safe place to stay, usually a large wetland. Molting is a dangerous time for ducks. They can't fly while their new wing feathers are growing in. ...Ducks lose all their feathers during the first molt of the year"
citationhttp://mariewinnnaturenews.blogspot.com/2013/08/molting-gadwall.html"Frequent correspondent ARDITH BONDI writes today [8/26/13] via ebirdsNYC
For anyone who hasn't had a good view of an extensive summer wing molt in a Gadwall, I happened to capture this in Central Park on the Reservoir last week. I have known about this, but haven't had a duck flap nicely right in front of my camera showing all the pin feathers. Talk about a "sitting duck". "
photo of GADWALL at Reservoir
by ARDITH BONDI
