What is a male duck called?

A male duck is called a drake when it is an adult. During adolescence, ducks of both sexes are simply referred to as ducklings. An adult female can be known as either a hen or a duck.

Similar to other types of birds, the drake can often be identified because he has brightly colored plumage that he uses to attract a hen. It may be more difficult to differentiate drakes from hens after the mating season as some types of drakes molt, adopting the more camouflaged plumage of the hens. Drakes become more susceptible to predators during this time as this plumage renders them flightless.