Al Hansen
Well-known member
My “He/She” Duck!
About six years ago when I first retired, I was sitting on the Rio Grande in January and doing what I like to do best----duck hunting. At the time I was having great success and had a nice bull sprig as my “other” duck, along with a Mexican, and three greenheads. The day was early and I was patiently waiting for one more drake mallard.
I had a subtle smile on my face because I was thinking of the check that I had just sent to Delta Waterfowl to help promote their ongoing program about taking only drakes. I, too, think that is a great idea.
Anyway, along came a single greenhead and with its wings cupped and feet outstretched it came into my spread of decoys just like you would see it in a movie. I dropped it with the first shot and Chili made quick work of the retrieve, thankfully. The current was quite strong and I’m glad she didn’t get caught up in that.
I was pouring a cup of coffee when she got back to me and then took it from her as I sat back to enjoy the sights and sounds that only a duck hunter can and does recognize. I started to look over this mallard and a “little red flag” went up in my mind. The more I looked at it the more confused I became.
This duck had curly tail feathers, a white ring around its neck, a green head, a black tail, the grey color that drakes are supposed to have on their backs, and it had the color of the drake’s beak but it had the brown blotches on the beak like a hen. Boy, was this confusing.
I did the next best thing and packed up for home. When I got to town I called the state waterfowl biologist and asked him if I could come over to show him something unusual. When I arrived, Tim checked the bird and said, “Al, I have never in my life seen anything like this. The only way we can know for sure what it is, is to open it up and look for the reproductive tracts.” So he commenced to open HER up. Yes, this was a hen mallard! Tim pointed out the ovaries to me.
I then got in touch with a federal waterfowl biologist, who lived in Ipswich, SD, and ended up next day UPSing the duck to him. Bobby Cox was doing a study on this phenomenon called, “SENESCENCE”. (It means: The Act or Process of Growing Old.)
In essence, this duck was so old that she began to produce testosterone instead of estrogen. Since that day in January, I have often wondered that if she had been banded, how old really was she? Would they have been able to read the band number if she was wearing that band all of those years? I have shot banded ducks with paper thin bands----just thinking! Anyway, I just thought that some of you might find this interesting.
Al
About six years ago when I first retired, I was sitting on the Rio Grande in January and doing what I like to do best----duck hunting. At the time I was having great success and had a nice bull sprig as my “other” duck, along with a Mexican, and three greenheads. The day was early and I was patiently waiting for one more drake mallard.
I had a subtle smile on my face because I was thinking of the check that I had just sent to Delta Waterfowl to help promote their ongoing program about taking only drakes. I, too, think that is a great idea.
Anyway, along came a single greenhead and with its wings cupped and feet outstretched it came into my spread of decoys just like you would see it in a movie. I dropped it with the first shot and Chili made quick work of the retrieve, thankfully. The current was quite strong and I’m glad she didn’t get caught up in that.
I was pouring a cup of coffee when she got back to me and then took it from her as I sat back to enjoy the sights and sounds that only a duck hunter can and does recognize. I started to look over this mallard and a “little red flag” went up in my mind. The more I looked at it the more confused I became.
This duck had curly tail feathers, a white ring around its neck, a green head, a black tail, the grey color that drakes are supposed to have on their backs, and it had the color of the drake’s beak but it had the brown blotches on the beak like a hen. Boy, was this confusing.
I did the next best thing and packed up for home. When I got to town I called the state waterfowl biologist and asked him if I could come over to show him something unusual. When I arrived, Tim checked the bird and said, “Al, I have never in my life seen anything like this. The only way we can know for sure what it is, is to open it up and look for the reproductive tracts.” So he commenced to open HER up. Yes, this was a hen mallard! Tim pointed out the ovaries to me.
I then got in touch with a federal waterfowl biologist, who lived in Ipswich, SD, and ended up next day UPSing the duck to him. Bobby Cox was doing a study on this phenomenon called, “SENESCENCE”. (It means: The Act or Process of Growing Old.)
In essence, this duck was so old that she began to produce testosterone instead of estrogen. Since that day in January, I have often wondered that if she had been banded, how old really was she? Would they have been able to read the band number if she was wearing that band all of those years? I have shot banded ducks with paper thin bands----just thinking! Anyway, I just thought that some of you might find this interesting.
Al
