Or at least, I think so. They start at the head, before they risk flightlessness, but I’m not sure what’s bleached the colour out of his beak.
Here are some more pictures, playing with the reflection of the sky in the water.
Mallard beginning the molt
In this one, it’s possible to confuse them. Vancouver’s tendency toward overcast is a bit hard to take generally, but it’s a real boon to a photographer. It’s like the gray seamless paper they use in studio shots.
Mallard beginning the molt