[Illustration: PARTS OF A DUCK]
CROWN
FOREHEAD
OCCIPUT
CHEEK
NAPE
SIDE NECK
BACK
SCAPULARS
RUMP
CHIN
THROAT
FORENECK
TERTIALS
UPPER TAIL COVERTS
BREAST
TAIL
UNDER TAIL COVERTS
BELLY
SIDE
LESSER COVERTS
SPURIOUS WING
GREATER COVERTS
PRIMARIES
SECONDARIES
TERTIALS
TIBIA
SCUTELLATE TARSUS
HEEL
HIND TOE
TOE
WEB
NAIL
LAMELLAE
LOWER MANDIBLE
UPPER MANDIBLE
NOSTRIL
NAIL
MALE
FEMALE
WHISTLING SWAN
(Cygnus columbianus)
[Illustration: WHISTLING SWAN (Cygnus columbianus)]
ENTIRE PLUMAGE WHITE
IMMATURE BIRDS HAVE GRAY-WHITE PLUMAGE WITH DULL PINKISH BILL
YELLOW SPOT
BLACK BILL
SEXES ARE SIMILAR
CARRIES NECK HELD ERECT
HEAD OF MUTE SWAN SHOWING BLACK KNOB AND ORANGE BILL
CANADA GOOSE
(Branta canadensis)
[Illustration: CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis)]
WHITE RUMP
BROWNISH GRAY BODY AND WINGS
BLACK BILL
WHITE PATCH
BLACK NECK
ALL GEESE HAVE RETICULATE TARSUS
SEXES ARE SIMILAR
SNOW GOOSE
(Chen hyperborea)
[Illustration: SNOW GOOSE (Chen hyperborea)]
WHITE BODY
BLACK WING TIPS
PINK FEET
LIGHT PINK BILL
BLACK “GRINNING” PATCH
FEATHERS OF CHEEKS, BREAST AND BELLY OFTEN STAINED WITH RUSTY BROWN
IMMATURE BIRDS TEND TOWARD A MORE GRAY PLUMAGE
SEXES ARE SIMILAR
ROSS GOOSE
(Chen rossi)
[Illustration: ROSS GOOSE (Chen rossi)]
ABOUT SIZE OF MALLARD
ADULT
WARTY PROTUBERANCES ON BILL.
NO BLACK “GRINNING” PATCH
PINKISH BILL
IMMATURE
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
(Anser albifrons)
[Illustration: WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Anser albifrons)]
ADULT
BARRED BELLY
IMMATURE
YELLOWISH BILL
PALE BREAST
WHITE PATCH
BROWNISH FOREPARTS
YELLOWISH LEGS
BLUE GOOSE
(Chen caerulescens)
[Illustration: BLUE GOOSE (Chen caerulescens)]
ADULT
PINK FEET, IMMATURE DUSKY FEET
IMMATURE
PINK BILL
WHITE NAIL
BLACK “GRINNING” PATCH
WHITE HEAD AND NECK
SEXES ARE SIMILAR
PUDDLE OR DABBLING DUCK CHARACTERISTICS
(Anatinae)
[Illustration: PUDDLE OR DABBLING DUCK CHARACTERISTICS (Anatinae)]
TIP UP TO FEED, RARELY DIVE
LEGS PLACED NEAR CENTER OF BODY
GENERALLY HAVE METALLIC SPECULUM
USUALLY SWIM WITH TAIL HELD CLEAR OF WATER
FOOT SMALLER THAN IN DIVING DUCKS
HIND TOE NOT LOBED
SPRING INTO AIR ON TAKE OFF
MALLARD
(Anas platyrhynchos)
[Illustration: MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos)]
WHITE TAIL
WHITE BORDERS ON PURPLE SPECULUM
WHITISH TAIL
♂
GREEN HEAD
YELLOW BILL
WHITE COLLAR
RUDDY BREAST
♀
ORANGE BILL MOTTLED WITH BLACK
MOTTLED BROWN
BLACK DUCK
(Anas rubripes)
[Illustration: BLACK DUCK (Anas rubripes)]
YELLOWISH-BROWN HEAD
DUSKY-BROWN BODY
WHITE WING-LININGS
IMMATURE HAS STREAKED BREAST
PURPLE SPECULUM
IMMATURE SIDE BREAST FEATHER
ADULT MALE SIDE BREAST FEATHER
ADULT FEMALE SIDE BREAST FEATHER
♂
BILL COLOR VARIES FROM SOLID GREENISH YELLOW TO HIGH CHROME YELLOW
DEPENDING UPON AGE AND SEASON KILLED
♀
FEMALE BILL SHOWS VARYING AMOUNT OF BLACK SPOTTING
MOTTLED DUCK
(Anas fulvigula)
[Illustration: MOTTLED DUCK (Anas fulvigula)]
TRAILING EDGE OFTEN WHITE
LIGHT TAN HEAD
PURPLE SPECULUM
FEET ORANGE
CHIN AND THROAT PALE BUFF (WITH OR) WITHOUT STREAKING
♂
DARK BASE OF BILL
BILL YELLOW, DARK NAIL
♀
DARK SPOT (often absent)
VARIABLE SPOTTING
NEW MEXICAN DUCK
(Anas diazi novimexicana)
[Illustration: NEW MEXICAN DUCK (Anas diazi novimexicana)]
TAIL DARK.
SPECULUM BLUISH PURPLE TO GREEN. WHITE EDGE ABOVE SOMETIMES ABSENT.
FEET ORANGE.
♂
BILL YELLOW, DARK NAIL.
CHIN PINKISH BUFF WITHOUT STREAKING.
♀
BILL DARK OLIVE OR ORANGE, DARK ON RIDGE.
SMALL SPOTS NEAR BASE LIMITED OR ABSENT.
GADWALL
(Anas strepera)
[Illustration: GADWALL (Anas strepera)]
BLACK RUMP
WHITE BELLY
WHITE SPECULUM
WHITE BELLY
BOTH SEXES HAVE YELLOW FEET
♂
BILL BLUISH BLACK
♀
BILL DULL ORANGE VARYING SPOTTING
PINTAIL
(Anas acuta)
[Illustration: PINTAIL (Anas acuta)]
WHITE STRIPE
CINNAMON-BUFF BORDER
POINTED TAIL
WHITE STRIPE
♂
BROWN HEAD
GRAY BILL
♀
GRAY BILL
MOTTLED BROWN
GREEN-WINGED TEAL
(Anas carolinensis)
[Illustration: GREEN-WINGED TEAL (Anas carolinensis)]
GREEN SPECULUM
WHITE BELLY
♂
BROWN HEAD
GREEN PATCH
WHITE MARK
♀
BLUE-WINGED TEAL
(Anas discors)
[Illustration: BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors)]
CHALKY-BLUE PATCH
GREEN SPECULUM
♂
MALE HAS DARK BELLY
WHITE CRESCENT
♀
FEMALE HAS LIGHT BELLY
CINNAMON TEAL
(Anas cyanoptera)
[Illustration: CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera)]
CHALKY-BLUE PATCH
GREEN SPECULUM
♂
UNIFORM CINNAMON BODY COLOR
♀
FEMALE HAS LIGHT BELLY
AMERICAN WIDGEON (Baldpate)
(Mareca americana)
[Illustration: AMERICAN WIDGEON (Baldpate) (Mareca americana)]
WHITE PATCH
WHITE BELLY
GREEN SPECULUM
WHITE BORDER
♂
WHITE CROWN
GREEN PATCH
GRAY BILL, BLACK TIPPED
WHITE PATCH
♀
SHOVELER
(Spatula clypeata)
[Illustration: SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata)]
CHALKY-BLUE PATCH
GREEN SPECULUM BORDERED WITH WHITE
♂
IRIDESCENT GREENISH BLACK
LARGE SHOVEL BILL
CONSPICUOUS BRISTLE-LIKE LAMELLAE
WHITE BREAST
CHESTNUT SIDES AND BELLY
♀
WOOD DUCK
(Aix sponsa)
[Illustration: WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa)]
WHITE BORDER
WHITE BELLY
SILVERY BORDERED
♂
RED IRIS
RED AND WHITE BILL
ADULT MALE HIGHLY COLORED
ECLIPSE AND IMMATURE MALE
WHITE PATCH
♀
CONSPICUOUS WHITE EYE-RING
CRESTED
HARLEQUIN DUCK
(Histrionicus histrionicus)
[Illustration: HARLEQUIN DUCK (Histrionicus histrionicus)]
WHITE MARKS
♂
STOCKY, DARK, SMALL BILL
♀
FEMALE HAS SMALLER BILL
PLAIN DARK BODY
DIVING DUCK CHARACTERISTICS
(Aythyinae)
[Illustration: DIVING DUCK CHARACTERISTICS (Aythyinae)]
LEGS SET NEAR REAR OF BODY
DIVE COMPLETELY UNDER WATER TO SECURE FEED
SPECULUM GENERALLY DULL, LACKS IRIDESCENCE
USUALLY SWIM WITH TAIL HELD CLOSE TO WATER
HIND TOE LOBED, FOOT LARGE
ON TAKE OFF PATTER ALONG SURFACE FOR SOME DISTANCE
REDHEAD
(Aythya americana)
[Illustration: REDHEAD (Aythya americana)]
GRAY BACK
GRAY WING STRIPE
♂
CHESTNUT HEAD
HIGH ABRUPT FOREHEAD
BLUE BILL, BLACK TIP
BLACK BREAST
♀
LIGHT PATCH
RING-NECKED DUCK
(Aythya collaris)
[Illustration: RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris)]
BLACK BACK
GRAY WING STRIPE
♂
DISTINCT CREST
CONSPICUOUS BILL RING
CHESTNUT COLLAR
BLACK BREAST
WHITE PATCH
♀
WHITE EYE RING
LIGHT PATCH
CANVASBACK
(Aythya valisineria)
[Illustration: CANVASBACK (Aythya valisineria)]
WHITE BACK
GRAY WING STRIPE
♂
CHESTNUT HEAD
LONG SLOPING PROFILE, BLACK BILL
BLACK BREAST
♀
GRAY BACK
BROWN BREAST
GREATER SCAUP
(Aythya marila)
[Illustration: GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila)]
DARK RUMP
WHITE WING STRIPE EXTENDING INTO PRIMARIES
WHITE BELLY
NAIL OF BILL 7.0-9.0 MILLIMETERS WIDE
♂
GRAY BACK
BLACK HEAD WITH GREENISH TINGE
BROAD BLUE BILL
BLACK BREAST
WHITE FLANKS
♀
BROWN BODY AND HEAD
DISTINCT WHITE MASK
LESSER SCAUP
(Aythya affinis)
[Illustration: LESSER SCAUP (Aythya affinis)]
DARK RUMP
WHITE WING STRIPE DOES NOT EXTEND INTO PRIMARIES
WHITE BELLY
NAIL OF BILL 5.0-6.5 MILLIMETERS WIDE
♂
SLIGHT CREST
GRAY BACK
BLACK HEAD WITH PURPLISH TINGE
BROAD BLUE BILL
BLACK BREAST
LIGHT FLANKS
♀
BROWN BODY AND HEAD
DISTINCT WHITE MASK
COMMON GOLDENEYE
(Bucephala clangula)
[Illustration: COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula)]
WHITE WING PATCHES
♂
GREENISH BLACK HEAD
LIGHT IRIS
DISTINCT WHITE PATCH
WHITE BREAST AND BELLY
2ND SEASON MALE WITH BROWN HEAD AND FAINT WHITE PATCH
♀
BROWN HEAD
ORANGE TIP IN BREEDING PLUMAGE
GRAY BACK AND FLANKS
WHITE NECK
GRAY BREAST
WHITE BELLY
1ST SEASON MALE IS SIMILAR IN COLORATION TO FEMALE BUT WITH HEAVIER
BODY AND MORE RUGGED HEAD AND BILL
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
(Bucephala islandica)
[Illustration: BARROW’S GOLDENEYE (Bucephala islandica)]
WHITE WING PATCHES
♂
PURPLISH BLACK HEAD
WHITE CRESCENT PATCH
BLACK BACK
BLACK BILL
WHITE BREAST AND BELLY
♀
LIGHT IRIS
GRAY BACK AND FLANKS
ORANGE TIP IN BREEDING PLUMAGE
WHITE NECK
GRAY BREAST
WHITE BELLY
BUFFLEHEAD
(Bucephala albeola)
[Illustration: BUFFLEHEAD (Bucephala albeola)]
BLACK AND WHITE BACK
DARK BACK
WHITE WING PATCHES
WHITE BELLY
♂
BLACK WITH IRIDESCENT GREEN AND PURPLE
DISTINCT WHITE PATCH
BLUE-GRAY BILL
♀
DARK GRAYISH BROWN
DISTINCT WHITE PATCH
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
(Melanitta deglandi)
[Illustration: WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (Melanitta deglandi)]
BLACK CHUNKY BODY
WHITE PATCH
♂
WHITE EYE PATCH
PROMINENT BLACK KNOB
REDDISH ORANGE
IMMATURE HAS DISTINCT WHITE PATCHES
♀
FEATHERING EXTENDS ALMOST TO NOSTRIL
ADULT FEMALE CHEEK PATCHES RANGE FROM SLIGHTLY DARKER THAN IMMATURE
TO NO WHITE AT ALL
FULVOUS TREE DUCK
(Dendrocygna bicolor helva)
[Illustration: FULVOUS TREE DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor helva)]
LONG NECK
ADULT
WHITE LINE
IMMATURE
ADULT
LONG LEGS
BLACK-BELLIED TREE DUCK
(Dendrocygna autumnalis autumnalis)
[Illustration: BLACK-BELLIED TREE DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis
autumnalis)]
WHITE UPPER WING
ADULT
LONG NECK
IMMATURE
WHITE WING PATCH
RUDDY DUCK
(Oxyura jamaicensis)
[Illustration: RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis)]
DARK BROWN
BELLY SILVERY WHITE
♂ SUMMER PLUMAGE
WHITE CHEEK
CROWN GLOSSY BLACK
BILL BLUE
RICH CHESTNUT
♂ WINTER PLUMAGE
CROWN BROWNISH-BLACK
BILL DUSKY
ASHY WHITE
♀
MOTTLED CHEEK WITH DARK STRIPE
BILL NAIL DISTINCTLY SHARP-POINTED
GRAYISH BROWN
HOODED MERGANSER
(Lophodytes cucullatus)
[Illustration: HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus)]
WHITE WING PATCH
♂
WHITE CREST OUTLINED WITH BLACK
THIN, SPIKE-LIKE BLACK BILL
TEETH NOT INCLINED BACKWARD AS IN OTHER MERGANSERS
WHITE BREAST
DOUBLE BLACK BANDS
♀
CREST, LIGHT BROWN
LIGHT THROAT
IN FLIGHT ALL MERGANSERS CARRY BILL, NECK AND BODY IN HORIZONTAL
PLANE, GIVING THEM A CHARACTERISTIC LONG-DRAWN APPEARANCE.
COMMON MERGANSER
(Mergus merganser)
[Illustration: COMMON MERGANSER (Mergus merganser)]
BLACK AND WHITE PATTERN
WHITE WING PATCH
♂
METALLIC GREENISH-BLACK
NOT CRESTED
RED BILL
NOSTRIL POSITIONED NEAR CENTER OF BILL
♀
DISTINCT CREST
WHITE THROAT
RED BILL
TEETH INCLINED BACKWARDS
GRAY BACK
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
(Phalacrocorax auritus)
[Illustration: DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus)]
ADULT
IMMATURE
PALE BREAST
YELLOW-ORANGE THROAT POUCH
BLACK BODY
COMMON LOON
(Gavia immer)
[Illustration: COMMON LOON (Gavia immer)]
SUMMER ADULT
CHECKERED BACK
IN FLIGHT HAS DOWNWARD CURVE TO NECK
WINTER ADULT
FEET EXTEND BEYOND TAIL
GRAY
SUMMER ADULT
BLACK HEAD, PURPLISH IRIDESCENCE
BLACK BILL
WHITE RIBBED
WHITE BREAST AND BELLY
WINTER ADULT
GRAY
WHITE
SEXES ARE SIMILAR
HORNED GREBE
(Colymbus auritus)
[Illustration: HORNED GREBE (Colymbus auritus)]
WINTER PLUMAGE
DARK BACK
THIN BILL
RED EYE
WHITE CHEEKS, THROAT AND BELLY
HEAD, SUMMER PLUMAGE
LOBED TOES
PIED-BILLED GREBE
(Podilymbus podiceps)
[Illustration: PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)]
TARSUS FLATTENED LATERALLY
ADULT HEAD
BLACK
IMMATURE
CHICKEN-LIKE BILL
WHITE
STRIPED FACIAL PATTERN
SEXES ARE SIMILAR
WESTERN GREBE
(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
[Illustration: WESTERN GREBE (Aechmophorus occidentalis)]
WHITE UNDERPARTS
LONG SLENDER NECK
AMERICAN COOT
(Fulica americana)
[Illustration: AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana)]
WHITE
SCALLOPED FLAPS
WHITE PATCH
SLATE GRAY BODY
WHITE BILL
KING RAIL
(Rallus elegans)
[Illustration: KING RAIL (Rallus elegans)]
COMMONLY INHABITS FRESH WATER MARSHES
GENERALLY HAS A RUSTY COLORATION
DARK BARRING
SEXES ARE SIMILAR
CLAPPER RAIL
(Rallus longirostris)
[Illustration: CLAPPER RAIL (Rallus longirostris)]
GENERALLY HAS A GRAYER COLORATION
COMMONLY INHABITS TIDAL MARSHES
LIGHT BARRING
IMMATURE BIRDS SIMILAR TO ADULTS: SPECIES DIFFERENTIATION OFTEN
DIFFICULT
VIRGINIA RAIL
(Rallus limicola)
[Illustration: VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola)]
IMMATURE
BLACKISH BODY
ADULT
REDDISH BODY
GRAY CHEEKS
LONG BILL
WHITE
SEXES ARE SIMILAR
SORA
(Porzana Carolina)
[Illustration: SORA (Porzana Carolina)]
IMMATURE
BUFFY BROWN BODY
ADULT
WHITE PATCH
GRAY-BROWN BODY
SHORT YELLOW BILL
BLACK FACIAL AND THROAT PATCH
COMMON SNIPE (JACKSNIPE)
(Capella gallinago)
[Illustration: COMMON SNIPE (JACKSNIPE) (Capella gallinago)]
LONG BILL
STRIPED BACK AND HEAD
ORANGE TAIL
HAS A CHARACTERISTIC ZIG-ZAG FLIGHT
POINTED WING
SEXES ARE SIMILAR
AMERICAN WOODCOCK
(Philohela minor)
[Illustration: AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Philohela minor)]
BARRED HEAD
LONG BILL
SHORT TAIL
CHUNKY BODY
LARGE EYE
APPEARS NECKLESS
BLUNT WING