Out here at NOAA, I've been keeping my eye on a pair of Mallards, who frequent
the grassy areas in front of my building. The female is slowly turning lighter
and lighter - you can see daily changes! She started out (that is, when I
started seeing her) as a regular Mallard ... or rather, I didn't see anything
different.

But over the past 2 weeks, she's been losing all color in her plumage. She's
down to white and very light golden tan feathers.

What's going on? I haven't seen feathers drifting around, nor do I know
enough about ducks to know wether it is even the right time for molting. Any
ideas? Is this usual?


If you're out at NOAA (the NOAA on Sand Point Way, that is!), the pair likes
to hang out on the parking-lot side of building #3, on the top level, in the
grassy areas.

Thanks for any help ...

Susan Collicott
susan at pmel.noaa.gov