Question:
I was told that during a certain time of the year geese and
ducks cannot fly. Is this true?
Replies:
Yes, for a few weeks during summer, after the breeding season many aquatic
birds including most ducks, geese, swans, loons, grebes and some others molt
all their flight feathers at once and cannot fly. The plumage following
summer molt is usually less colorful than breeding season plumage and may
help the birds survive this critical time by being less visible.
J. Elliott
Once a year geese and ducks will molt all their flight feathers at once.
This leaves them flightless for a short amount of time in which they keep
themselves in safe locations.
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