Mallard question

Does the number of curles on the tail tell how old it is??? My father in-law and I are in a heated discusion U guy will tell us who is right

From what I’ve heard and read, no. Nor does it indicate a northern bird. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Eric

its not like it grows one new one each year. most of the big late season mallards i shoot will have have 2 and one barely starting to curl. if you pull them out you will notice that there is actually 2 feathers in each curl. i love it how people brag that they shot a 3 or 4 curler and al they did was seperate during the retrieve. i tell them i shoot 4 curlers each time i go out.

Well, I say no>I googled this and found: The lifespan of the Mallard Duck is 7 to 9 years, but over half die before they reach 2 years of age. They die from predation, accidents, hunting and diseases such as botulism, cholera and viruses.;)

I have never shot a duck with more than 4 of those ‘curls’. Can any one of us imagine one with 7 to 9 curls….me either.Maybe someone on the site knows a biologist who knows how to age a duck

Check their teeth???

Mark