This week’s duckology reveals tips for how to most reliably distinguish male mallards from females during the early season.

Up on the breeding grounds — and especially in Canada — seasons start early. During all of September and into October, male mallards are still sporting a lot of eclipse (a.k.a., basic drab) plumage, so they look a lot like hens. It can be real hard to pick out the drakes.

The video features tips from Dr. Joe Carlson of Bismarck, North Dakota. Joe is a former Delta Board member and a serious mallard hunter when his medical job allows.