What occurs to the adult male Wood Duck plumage following the summer breeding season?
Answer
Adult males undergo a complete molt into an eclipse plumage, temporarily resembling the female more closely
After the rigorous summer breeding season concludes, adult male Wood Ducks undergo a significant physiological change involving a complete molt. This process results in them entering what is known as 'eclipse' plumage. During this stage, the vibrant, spectacularly colored breeding feathers are shed and replaced by duller plumage that bears a closer resemblance to the female's appearance. This transformation is essential for camouflage, especially during the period when the males are flightless or near flightless due to the simultaneous shedding of their primary flight feathers, offering protection when they are most vulnerable.
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