What is a male duck called?

A male duck is called a drake. The term applies to adult males of domestic ducks and many wild duck species, while an adult female is generally called a duck or, in ornithological contexts, a hen.

Drakes often differ visibly from females, especially in species with strong sexual dimorphism. Male mallards, for example, develop a glossy green head, white neck ring, gray body, and curled tail feathers, while females are mostly mottled brown. These differences help with courtship and species recognition.

The word “duck” can refer broadly to the species or group, so it is not always used only for females in everyday speech. “Drake” is the more precise term when the sex of an adult male is relevant. A young duck of either sex is called a duckling.

Several tempting alternatives describe other animals. A gander is a male goose, a tom is commonly a male turkey or cat, and “cock” is a general term used for males of some bird species. None is the standard specific term for an adult male duck.