Editing Freckled duck (section)

==Description==

The freckled duck has a distinctive appearance. It is characterised, in adults, by dark grey to black plumage covered with small white flecks, which gives the duck the 'freckled' look. The feet, legs and bill of both sexes is of a slate grey colour. Hatchlings and juveniles are distinguished by a uniform light grey plumage, which they lose around their 32nd week when they undergo a full body moult to assume the adult plumage.<ref name=:26>{{cite journal|last1=Norman|first1=F. I.|last2=Norris|first2=K. C.|year=1982|title=Some notes on Freckled Duck shot in Victoria, Australia, 1981|journal=Wildfowl|volume=33|pages=81–87}}</ref>

The adult freckled duck is [[Sexual dimorphism|sexually dimorphic]]. On average, males are the larger sex, with average weight between 700 - 1200&nbsp;g. Females have an only slightly lower range between 600 – 1200&nbsp;g. Both sexes have a length of 50 – 60&nbsp;cm. During the breeding season particularly, the males are characterised by the base of their [[Beak|culmen]], which takes on various shades of red. Those in prime reproductive condition take on a deep red colouring, while other males may only develop lighter shades of red, or in some instances, no colouring at all. Deep red colouring of the culmen is also associated with dominance, and those with the deepest red are those likely to breed with the females of the group.<ref name=:28>{{cite journal|last1=Wilson|first1=S.|last2=Silcocks|first2=S.|year=2001|title=The husbandry and breeding of the freckled duck at Melbourne Zoo|journal=Australian Birdkeeper|volume=14|issue=9|pages=524–527}}</ref>