Waterfowl

Waterfowl PDFBy Jim Stevenson
To all you fathers out there, here’s a wish from the GOS for the great day you deserve. We celebrate it with a gallery on ducks, to show off the beauty of male waterfowl. I’m considering a continuation of this habit in other ways in future gallery. I am flying to New Zealand and will be back in touch whenever possible.

 

With the female Trumpeter Swan temporarily tending the cygnets this male relaxes and plans for his family’s financial future. This species was woefully rare until stringent acts protected their breeding grounds and no more were hunted (illegally or legally). These are a bit larger than Tundra Swans but both species are huge – with these Trumpeters about the same size as the introduced Mute Swans of the East.

With the female Trumpeter Swan temporarily tending the cygnets this male relaxes and
plans for his family’s financial future. This species was woefully rare until stringent acts
protected their breeding grounds and no more were hunted (illegally or legally). These
are a bit larger than Tundra Swans but both species are huge – with these Trumpeters
about the same size as the introduced Mute Swans of the East.

 

Canada Geese are likewise our largest geese, and one the most variable in size among all birds. Their total length may range from 25 to 45 inches, depending on race and sex, and I have seen them perform amazing acts of bravery. This big male has a chunk taken out of him, and we hope largely feathers and not flesh.

Canada Geese are likewise our largest geese, and one the most variable in size among all
birds. Their total length may range from 25 to 45 inches, depending on race and sex, and
I have seen them perform amazing acts of bravery. This big male has a chunk taken out
of him, and we hope largely feathers and not flesh.

 

Speaking of wings, this Blue Goose (now officially “Snow” Goose) has a broken right wing, no doubt from an earlier hunting episode. Most cripple birds aren’t long for this World but geese are large and smart. You can see the curvature of the culmen, allowing for this species to rip up near-aquatic vegetation.

Speaking of wings, this Blue Goose (now officially “Snow” Goose) has a broken right
wing, no doubt from an earlier hunting episode. Most cripple birds aren’t long for this
World but geese are large and smart. You can see the curvature of the culmen, allowing
for this species to rip up near-aquatic vegetation.

 

Way overhead the two color morphs of the Snow Goose head due north, heeding the ageold call of nature to replenish their species. Were the middle bird a hybrid between the two it would have a white belly, but these are “pure.” These birds breed almost entirely in northern Canada, not so much in Alaska. There are some just east of Prudhoe Bay, tho.

Way overhead the two color morphs of the Snow Goose head due north, heeding the ageold
call of nature to replenish their species. Were the middle bird a hybrid between the
two it would have a white belly, but these are “pure.” These birds breed almost entirely in
northern Canada, not so much in Alaska. There are some just east of Prudhoe Bay, tho.

 

The poster child for ducks is the Mallard, oft-domesticated & frequently hunted. Mallard meat is quite delicious (like its close kin) and they are really abundant up the Great Plains States (tho not so much near Galveston). Mallards have also spread to Europe and are not a fan favorite, along with Ruddy Ducks. This begins a series of ducks called dabbling ducks that do not dive, but rather feed on the surface, often by tipping up. They are lighter weight than diving ducks and take off straight up off the water. Hunters prefer them as their plant food makes their meat more tasty, and they also tend to have wingpatches instead of wingstripes.

The poster child for ducks is the Mallard, oft-domesticated & frequently hunted. Mallard
meat is quite delicious (like its close kin) and they are really abundant up the Great Plains
States (tho not so much near Galveston). Mallards have also spread to Europe and are not
a fan favorite, along with Ruddy Ducks.
This begins a series of ducks called dabbling ducks that do not dive, but rather feed on
the surface, often by tipping up. They are lighter weight than diving ducks and take off
straight up off the water. Hunters prefer them as their plant food makes their meat more
tasty, and they also tend to have wingpatches instead of wingstripes.

 

In the early breeding season you generally see the males following the hens, but that’s short-lived. As soon as the eggs are laid, and also when there are chicks, the males are nowhere to be found. All anthropomorphism aside, this works best for the family as he only gets in the way and his colors attracts predators. And the sex is over.

In the early breeding season you generally see the males following the hens, but that’s
short-lived. As soon as the eggs are laid, and also when there are chicks, the males are
nowhere to be found. All anthropomorphism aside, this works best for the family as he
only gets in the way and his colors attracts predators. And the sex is over.

 

Here’s a male Mallard showing off his white-bordered speculum as he takes off, orangered feet behind and green head in front. Several of our ducks have green heads but very few have specula bordered by white (see Steller’s Eider). If you wonder how ducks can fly with the speed and agility they possess, just look at those long, narrow, pointed wings.

Here’s a male Mallard showing off his white-bordered speculum as he takes off, orangered
feet behind and green head in front. Several of our ducks have green heads but very
few have specula bordered by white (see Steller’s Eider). If you wonder how ducks can
fly with the speed and agility they possess, just look at those long, narrow, pointed wings.

 

At lower elevations female ducks already had ducklings, and this Mallard hen is hidden well in the marsh grass. The line through the eyes of the hen and young help hide the eye, a conspicuous field mark for predators. This hen has an awfully dark bill and could have a bit of somebody else’s blood in her.

At lower elevations female ducks already had ducklings, and this Mallard hen is hidden
well in the marsh grass. The line through the eyes of the hen and young help hide the eye,
a conspicuous field mark for predators. This hen has an awfully dark bill and could have
a bit of somebody else’s blood in her.

 

Just before I left I shot this Mottled Duck on the Island, a male due to the bill color. This species has little sexual dimorphism otherwise, although the guys tend to be a little larger and darker. They are unique in that they don’t fly north to breed, and also that they have so little dimorphism. They get really tame on Galveston!

Just before I left I shot this Mottled Duck on the Island, a male due to the bill color. This
species has little sexual dimorphism otherwise, although the guys tend to be a little larger
and darker. They are unique in that they don’t fly north to breed, and also that they have
so little dimorphism. They get really tame on Galveston!

 

Gadwall are more bland but the males are fairly handsome ducks. Their white wingpatch is unusual for freshwater duckage and the beige wing coverts are delicious. Aside from that, in the air, they are a gray duck with a black butt. Female ducks are often a challenge but the orange bill helps. And if it’s next to a male Gadwall.

Gadwall are more bland but the males are fairly handsome ducks. Their white wingpatch
is unusual for freshwater duckage and the beige wing coverts are delicious. Aside from
that, in the air, they are a gray duck with a black butt. Female ducks are often a challenge
but the orange bill helps. And if it’s next to a male Gadwall.

 

Here is a male Gadwall that blasted out of a ditch, chasing a female that’s always the first to fly these days. This is a younger bird, as neither its coverts nor its black rump is fully developed. It seems late for a bird to still be molting. Gadwall quack a bit like Mallards and others like some teal quack (like a duck) as well.

Here is a male Gadwall that blasted out of a ditch, chasing a female that’s always the first
to fly these days. This is a younger bird, as neither its coverts nor its black rump is fully
developed. It seems late for a bird to still be molting. Gadwall quack a bit like Mallards
and others like some teal quack (like a duck) as well.

 

Ducks don’t generally have a lot of color under the wings, and the underside of the body is also usually bland. This male Gadwall is still dripping wet and you can see water droplets falling off the invisible female above him. As usual, the male’s following the hen. If the female never f lew, you could probably walk down and pick the drake up!

Ducks don’t generally have a lot of color under the wings, and the underside of the body
is also usually bland. This male Gadwall is still dripping wet and you can see water
droplets falling off the invisible female above him. As usual, the male’s following the
hen. If the female never f lew, you could probably walk down and pick the drake up!

 

Pintail are long, sleek ducks that can fly like the wind (like shovelers). I’ve seen females just blathering at the mouth in Prudhoe over drakes (that’s a total lie) but seriously, gals, wouldn’t YOU just collapse over this handsome devil? Be quiet, Julie B. Pintail have other species in South America, as do shovelers, teal and other duck groups

Pintail are long, sleek ducks that can fly like the wind (like shovelers). I’ve seen females
just blathering at the mouth in Prudhoe over drakes (that’s a total lie) but seriously, gals,
wouldn’t YOU just collapse over this handsome devil? Be quiet, Julie B. Pintail have
other species in South America, as do shovelers, teal and other duck groups

 

It is not uncommon to see 4-5 males flying with a female, hoping to help her pass on her genes (males – always thinking of ways to help…). But thirteen??? This musta been one fine-looking gal. Female pintail are mottled gray and elongate enough not to be too hard to identify. [I’m pretty sure that the trigger finger of every waterfowl hunter out there is twitching like a British birder right now.]

It is not uncommon to see 4-5 males flying with a female, hoping to help her pass on her
genes (males – always thinking of ways to help…). But thirteen??? This musta been one
fine-looking gal. Female pintail are mottled gray and elongate enough not to be too hard
to identify. [I’m pretty sure that the trigger finger of every waterfowl hunter out there is
twitching like a British birder right now.]

 

You gotta love pintail in the air, and I’m gonna keep showing them until you do.

You gotta love pintail in the air, and I’m gonna keep showing them until you do.

 

Great. American Wigeons aren’t hard on the eyes, either, and the unique field mark of the white patch on the front of the wing makes them an easy ID. Add to that the green facial stripe and the blue-gray beak and all you need is the white cap. How many of you knew the old name was Baldpate, referring to the white cap? Wow, not many

Great.
American Wigeons aren’t hard on the eyes, either, and the unique field mark of the white
patch on the front of the wing makes them an easy ID. Add to that the green facial stripe
and the blue-gray beak and all you need is the white cap. How many of you knew the old
name was Baldpate, referring to the white cap?
Wow, not many

 

Once again, a duck’s undersides aren’t that whoopee, but the beige border does him some good. Specula are seldom visible from underneath, too, although the unicolored wings are darker then most. Wigeon make a series of whistling noises, not quacking like some of their freshwater buddies. Interesting how dark their underwings are.

Once again, a duck’s undersides aren’t that whoopee, but the beige border does him some
good. Specula are seldom visible from underneath, too, although the unicolored wings are
darker then most. Wigeon make a series of whistling noises, not quacking like some of
their freshwater buddies. Interesting how dark their underwings are.

 

Most freshwater ducks slap the water with their wings to break the surface tension and shovelers get airborne as fast as any duck. The green head is a nice touch but I never cared for the white breast – although the chestnut belly makes up for it. Their bill is enormous and allows them to sift through floating mats of vegetation, or worse.

Most freshwater ducks slap the water with their wings to break the surface tension and
shovelers get airborne as fast as any duck. The green head is a nice touch but I never
cared for the white breast – although the chestnut belly makes up for it. Their bill is
enormous and allows them to sift through floating mats of vegetation, or worse.

 

Didn’t like the last one, try this one!

Didn’t like the last one, try this one!

 

The webbed feet of ducks makes landing on water easy and even fun, although murres do a nice job of it as well. Water doesn’t compress and birds do need to exercise a little caution as their bones are hollow and ungraceful landings may have repercussions. This one’s form looks good and he even has his alula out!

The webbed feet of ducks makes landing on water easy and even fun, although murres do
a nice job of it as well. Water doesn’t compress and birds do need to exercise a little
caution as their bones are hollow and ungraceful landings may have repercussions. This
one’s form looks good and he even has his alula out!

 

This shows a very important aspect of flight. As the bird brings his wings up, they are more vertical, so it doesn’t force the bird down toward Earth.

This shows a very important aspect of flight. As the bird brings his wings up, they are
more vertical, so it doesn’t force the bird down toward Earth.

 

Here’ a shoveler in changing plumage, morphing from the female- like winter plumage into their breeding colors. Notice how much the wings look like a Blue-winged Teal’s wings (or Cinnamon). Shovelers can get pretty tame as hunters are reticent to shoot them, given their food makes them taste like a day-old burrito.

Here’ a shoveler in changing plumage, morphing from the female- like winter plumage
into their breeding colors. Notice how much the wings look like a Blue-winged Teal’s
wings (or Cinnamon). Shovelers can get pretty tame as hunters are reticent to shoot them,
given their food makes them taste like a day-old burrito.

 

This leucistic shoveler looks like a barnyard duck but he was quite wary and flew like the wind. Notice how worn the primaries are, as the melanins (or other pigments) in the wingtips help stiffen and protect hard-flying birds. Being an albino (or whatever) doesn’t seem to make a bird less attractive to the opposite sex, but I wonder what a good statistical study would show.

This leucistic shoveler looks like a barnyard duck but he was quite wary and flew like the
wind. Notice how worn the primaries are, as the melanins (or other pigments) in the
wingtips help stiffen and protect hard-flying birds. Being an albino (or whatever) doesn’t
seem to make a bird less attractive to the opposite sex, but I wonder what a good
statistical study would show.

 

Here’s a pair of the forever-common Blue-winged Teal, although they are replaced in the West by Cinnamon Teal in many places. They also hybridize with Cinnamons, making some really interesting-looking ducks. The wings are fairly similar on the two sexes but the white face on the male is unmistakable.

Here’s a pair of the forever-common Blue-winged Teal, although they are replaced in the
West by Cinnamon Teal in many places. They also hybridize with Cinnamons, making
some really interesting-looking ducks. The wings are fairly similar on the two sexes but
the white face on the male is unmistakable.

 

Green-winged Teal are small, fast ducks that mostly breed north of the Lower 48. Their matching speculum and head stripe make them really flashy and the reddish head brings to mind some of the diving (bay) ducks. They make high-pitched twittering calls quite a bit like pintail and can absolutely fly like the wind.

Green-winged Teal are small, fast ducks that mostly breed north of the Lower 48. Their
matching speculum and head stripe make them really flashy and the reddish head brings
to mind some of the diving (bay) ducks. They make high-pitched twittering calls quite a
bit like pintail and can absolutely fly like the wind.

 

The big stars out West are the Cinnamon Teal. They are found from around the Canadian Border to southern South America, and do especially well in small wetlands in dry areas. Note the longish bill, helping to tell hens from BW Teal females (good luck with that). Most of this species clears out before the duck season begins, perhaps leading to their tameness, if not their numbers.

The big stars out West are the Cinnamon Teal. They are found from around the Canadian
Border to southern South America, and do especially well in small wetlands in dry areas.
Note the longish bill, helping to tell hens from BW Teal females (good luck with that).
Most of this species clears out before the duck season begins, perhaps leading to their
tameness, if not their numbers.

 

Here’s a lovely Cinnamon Teal with another one swimming beneath him upside down.

Here’s a lovely Cinnamon Teal with another one swimming beneath him upside down.

 

Here’s a jumping male Cinnamon Teal with many of his belly feathers yanked out.

Here’s a jumping male Cinnamon Teal with many of his belly feathers yanked out.

 

Available females may attract quite a number of guys. Note the wing that we discussed.

Available females may attract quite a number of guys. Note the wing that we discussed.

 

Diving ducks tend to be heavier and often need to paddle across the water to get airborne. This is the Ring-necked Duck, a scaup-like denizen of freshwater only. It could be called a Ring-billed Duck, or maybe “Black-backed Scaup!” Their head is kinda purple, like a Lesser Scaup and his right wing is completely missing (not a matter of a pinion).

Diving ducks tend to be heavier and often need to paddle across the water to get airborne.
This is the Ring-necked Duck, a scaup-like denizen of freshwater only. It could be called
a Ring-billed Duck, or maybe “Black-backed Scaup!” Their head is kinda purple, like a
Lesser Scaup and his right wing is completely missing (not a matter of a pinion).

 

Once you get a RNDU with a good wing you can see their wingstripe is gray all the way out, easily separating it from either scaup. The back of their purple head tends too be a bit notched and smaller than a scaup’s head. These are very common ducks wintering in the southern lakes, and better on the table than most diving ducks. They and the next three species are called “bay ducks” and have wingstripes, though not always sharply defined.

Once you get a RNDU with a good wing you can see their wingstripe is gray all the way
out, easily separating it from either scaup. The back of their purple head tends too be a bit
notched and smaller than a scaup’s head. These are very common ducks wintering in the
southern lakes, and better on the table than most diving ducks. They and the next three
species are called “bay ducks” and have wingstripes, though not always sharply defined.

 

Canvasbacks and some other diving ducks breed in freshwater but often winter in salt water, from the Gulf of Mexico up the Atlantic and sometimes the Pacific. Diving ducks are like grebes in that they go underwater with their heavier bodies and usually take food that’s animalian, not the vegetable matter dabbling ducks take.

Canvasbacks and some other diving ducks breed in freshwater but often winter in salt
water, from the Gulf of Mexico up the Atlantic and sometimes the Pacific. Diving ducks
are like grebes in that they go underwater with their heavier bodies and usually take food
that’s animalian, not the vegetable matter dabbling ducks take.

 

Diving ducks like this male Canvasback have large lung capacities for staying underwater and securing animalian food, often in the form of mussels. [Maybe that’s why they are such strong fliers???] Male Canvasbacks have light-colored backs and reddish heads, not the same shade as Redheads, tho. They are not shy about wintering in large, deep lakes in the Deep South.

Diving ducks like this male Canvasback have large lung capacities for staying underwater
and securing animalian food, often in the form of mussels. [Maybe that’s why they are
such strong fliers???] Male Canvasbacks have light-colored backs and reddish heads, not
the same shade as Redheads, tho. They are not shy about wintering in large, deep lakes in
the Deep South.

 

A Duracell Duck (Redhead) has a copper top, with no white wingstripes. Female below.

A Duracell Duck (Redhead) has a copper top, with no white wingstripes. Female below.

 

Waterfowl PDF35

 

The still-common Lesser Scaup isn’t as abundant as it once was but is still seen in our area in winter in shallow bays and estuaries. Males have dark heads and light backs and females have the white face. Greater Scaup nest much farther north, so in summer, this is the only game in town.

The still-common Lesser Scaup isn’t as abundant as it once was but is still seen in our
area in winter in shallow bays and estuaries. Males have dark heads and light backs and
females have the white face. Greater Scaup nest much farther north, so in summer, this is
the only game in town.

 

Scaups are the only bay ducks with white in their wingstripe, and Lessers only have half the wing white. Greaters, who nest in Canada and Alaska, are distinguished by the wing stripe extending well into the primaries. Their heads are also generally not very rounded like Greaters, but many folks still overlook Greaters in the Deep South winters.

Scaups are the only bay ducks with white in their wingstripe, and Lessers only have half
the wing white. Greaters, who nest in Canada and Alaska, are distinguished by the wing
stripe extending well into the primaries. Their heads are also generally not very rounded
like Greaters, but many folks still overlook Greaters in the Deep South winters.

 

Here’s a Lesser Scaup scooting in for a landing, showing off the purple head, rather than the greenish hue male Greaters have.

Here’s a Lesser Scaup scooting in for a landing, showing off the purple head, rather than
the greenish hue male Greaters have.

 

Diving ducks that don’t have wingstripes are called sea ducks and the goldeneye and tiny Bufflehead qualify. This is a female (sorry, dads) and I suspect she’s carrying a pellet from hunting season (sorry, mom). They and Buffleheads have white wingpatches like Gadwall but ride lower in the water, due to their greater weight.

Diving ducks that don’t have wingstripes are called sea ducks and the goldeneye and tiny
Bufflehead qualify. This is a female (sorry, dads) and I suspect she’s carrying a pellet
from hunting season (sorry, mom). They and Buffleheads have white wingpatches like
Gadwall but ride lower in the water, due to their greater weight.

 

A diving ducks pretty unrelated to the other NA ducks is the Ruddy Duck, named for the reddish (ruddy) hue. A white cheek and blue bill make them pretty irresistible to the gals and their courtship antics make them look part frog. This and some other related species are called stiff-tailed ducks, a departure from other waterfowl.A diving ducks pretty unrelated to the other NA ducks is the Ruddy Duck, named for the reddish (ruddy) hue. A white cheek and blue bill make them pretty irresistible to the gals and their courtship antics make them look part frog. This and some other related species are called stiff-tailed ducks, a departure from other waterfowl.

A diving ducks pretty unrelated to the other NA ducks is the Ruddy Duck, named for the
reddish (ruddy) hue. A white cheek and blue bill make them pretty irresistible to the gals
and their courtship antics make them look part frog. This and some other related species
are called stiff-tailed ducks, a departure from other waterfowl.A diving ducks pretty unrelated to the other NA ducks is the Ruddy Duck, named for the
reddish (ruddy) hue. A white cheek and blue bill make them pretty irresistible to the gals
and their courtship antics make them look part frog. This and some other related species
are called stiff-tailed ducks, a departure from other waterfowl.

 

Mergansers are our only fish-eating ducks, and you can see how these divers are shaped compared to dabbling ducks like Mallards. They seem to be green-headed friends in the Yellowstone River, tho they eat entirely different foods. Mergansers have long, serrate bills for grabbing f ish and fair ly long bodies. Oh, this one’s a Common Merganser.

Mergansers are our only fish-eating ducks, and you can see how these divers are shaped
compared to dabbling ducks like Mallards. They seem to be green-headed friends in the
Yellowstone River, tho they eat entirely different foods. Mergansers have long, serrate
bills for grabbing fish and fairly long bodies. Oh, this one’s a Common Merganser.

 

Some predator, perhaps a harrier, left this carcass of a duck behind on this rock, having picked the meat down to the bone. Birds don’t have huge skeletons, and most of their bones are hollow to make them more lightweight. Judging from the face, this is a female (sorry, but it IS Father’s Day), and the black bill could indicate a hen Mallard. Happy Father’s Day to all you drakes.

Some predator, perhaps a harrier, left this carcass of a duck behind on this rock, having
picked the meat down to the bone. Birds don’t have huge skeletons, and most of their
bones are hollow to make them more lightweight. Judging from the face, this is a female
(sorry, but it IS Father’s Day), and the black bill could indicate a hen Mallard.
Happy Father’s Day to all you drakes.

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