Bird watchers get to savour different aspects of the natural world in every season. And we get a super head start on spring. Migration has started.
While the arrival of most of the wood warblers and other songbirds is still a couple of months away, the movement of waterfowl can be enjoyed now. Each week I’m observing different duck species.
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Among the ducks that can be seen on open water now and in the next weeks are gadwall, American widgeon, blue-winged teal, Northern pintail, green-winged teal, bufflehead, scaup, ring-necked duck, goldeneye, and Northern shoveler.
The plumage of the male ducks usually makes their identification straight forward. Female ducks often have mottled brown plumage. Their identification is more challenging.
As ever, size and shape of a bird are powerful clues. Consider the shoveler, for example. This is a relatively large duck, more like a mallard in size than a teal or a wood duck. And once you study the chunky shape of the shoveler’s bill you will know instantly at what you are looking.