Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun Dull or colorless plumage that certain birds, such as male ducks, acquire at the end of the breeding season.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word eclipse plumage.
Examples
Sorry, no example sentences found.
vendingmachine commented on the word eclipse plumage
Most ducks shed their body feathers twice each year. Nearly all drakes lose their bright plumage after mating, and for a few weeks resemble females. This hen-like appearance is called the eclipse plumage. The return to breeding coloration varies in species and individuals of each species.
April 30, 2017