DOCSLIB.ORG

Waterfowl and Wing ID

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Waterfowl and Wing ID Waterfowl Identification WFS 536 Heath M. Hagy & Matthew J. Gray University of Tennessee Why Know Waterfowl? • Wetland Indicators • Research • Build rapport with hunters / wetland managers – Game species – Charismatic • Law enforcement • Harvest surveys • Wing Bee Keys to Identification • Suite of characteristics – Wing characteristics – Body characteristics – Flight pattern – Foraging behavior – Vocalizations – Habitats used – Community associations • Practice 1 Subfamily Anserinae Tribe Dendrocygnini Tribe Cygnini Tribe Anserini Whistling or Swans True Geese Treeducks Fulvous Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) 13 in. BL 36 in. WS • Large, long-legged, long-necked duck • Dark bill and dark Legs • Chestnut Belly “Mostly Tropical and Nocturnal” Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) 13 in. BL 37 in. WS • Large, long-legged, long-necked duck • Bright Orange Bill and Pink Legs • Black Belly “Mostly Tropical and Nocturnal” 2 Geese and Swans Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) 40 in. BL 90 in. WS • Large, long-necked waterbird with entirely white plumage and black legs and feet • Neck held in distinctive "S" curve • Orange bill with black base; knob above bill Trumpeter Swan 45 in. BL Largest NA 95 in. WS (Cygnus buccinator) Waterfowl • Large, long-necked waterbird with entirely white plumage and black legs and feet • Long neck usually held straight up • Long, solid black bill that extends to eye but does not encircle it 3 Tundra Swan Waterfowl w/ the 36 in. BL most feathers 85 in. WS (Cygnus columbianus) (ca. 25,000) • Large, long-necked waterbird with entirely white plumage and black legs and feet • Long neck usually held straight up • Long, slightly concave black bill that extends to eye ending in a yellow “tear drop” Tundra Swan Mute Swan 4 Tundra Swan Trumpeter Swan 5 White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) 20 in. BL 60 in. WS • Medium-sized long-necked goose • Mostly brown plumage • White patch at base of pink or orange bill • Irregular black flecking on belly • Orange legs and feet Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) 19 in. BL 58 in. WS • Medium-sized Goose • Pink bill w/ black patch along mandibles Blue Morph White Morph • Throat white • Entirely white plumage • White-edged scapulars • Black primaries 6 Ross’s Goose (Chen rossii) • Presence of caruncles • Blue morphs rare 16 in. BL 45 in. WS Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 16-25 in. BL 50-68 in. WS 4-13 lbs Giant Canada Cackling Goose • Small to large long-necked goose • Black bill, head, and neck • White throat patch extends up to cheek • Brown back, upper wing, and flanks 7 Subfamily Anatinae Tribe Cairinini Tribe Anatini Tribe Aythyini Perching Ducks Dabbling Ducks Diving Ducks Tribe Mergini Tribe Oxyurini Sea Ducks Stiff-tailed Ducks Dabbling Ducks 8 Determining sex • Body coloration • Vermiculation • Bill coloration • Sex organs • Shape of syrinx Determining age • Tail feathers • Wing feathers • Cloacal exam Wing Feathers 1. Tertials a) shortened b) frayed c) striping 2. Coverts a) “buffy” edge b) mottled color http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/duckplum/ intro.htm 9 Notches Tail Feathers 10 Wood Duck 13 in. BL (Aix sponsa) 28 in. WS Drake Hen • Red bill and eye • Gray bill • Green head • White teardrop around eye • White throat and cheek and edge of secondaries stripe • White throat • Chestnut breast • Gray-brown head and body • Golden flanks Wood Duck Aix sponsa 11 Mallard 16 in. BL (Anas platyrhynchos) 36 in. WS Drake Hen • Green head • Orange bill with black • Yellow or olive bill mottling • White ring around neck • Dark cap and eye line • Chestnut breast • Mottled brown/tan • Gray belly and flanks plumage Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 12 American Black Duck 16 in. BL (Anas rubripes) 36 in. WS Drake Hen • Dark brown head & body • Dark brown head & body • Dark blue speculum not • Dark blue speculum not bordered by white bordered by white • Greenish-yellow bill • Green bill with black saddle • Bright red legs • Orange legs Mallard vs. Black Duck Black Duck Mallard 13 American Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) 10.5 in. BL• Very small-bodied duck 24 in. WS • Green speculum Drake Hen • Rust colored head with • Light brown head and body green post-ocular patch • Dark gray bill • Black bill American Green-winged Teal Anas crecca carolinensis ½ the size of American wigeon & no white in LC & MCs Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 11 in. BL• Very small-bodied duck 24 in. WS • Green speculum BUT blue in lesser and middle coverts Drake Hen • Blue-iridescent head • Light brown head • White crescent patch • Dark brown crown • Buff breast & flanks w/ spots • Mottled gray-brown body 14 Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Northern Shoveler 14 in. BL (Anas clypeata) 31 in. WS • Spatulate bill Drake Hen • Black bill • Orange bill with mottling • Green head and yellow eyes • Tan head and brown eyes • White chest & chestnut sides • Mottled brown body 15 Northern Shoveler 2X size of Anas clypeata blue-winged teal & rachis of 10th primary BWTE NSHO 16 Gadwall 14.5 in. BL(Anas strepera) 35 in. WS • Average-sized bodied duck with steep forehead • White speculum (only dabbler) and black rump Drake Hen • Black bill • Gray bill with orange edges Gadwall Anas strepera 17 American Wigeon 14 in. BL (Anas americana) 34 in. WS • Gray-blue bill with black nail • White secondary coverts (grayer in females) Drake Hen • White crown • Mottled body w/rusty flanks • Green post-ocular stripe contrasting w/ head & neck • Rusty breast and flanks • Dusky eye patch American Wigeon Anas americana 18 Northern Pintail 18.5 in. BL (Anas acuta) 35 in. WS • Dull blue bill with black culmen stripe • Very long neck, small head and attenuated retrices Drake Hen • Dark brown head • Tan head lightly colored • White chest & neck extending mottled body into latitudinal stripe • Bronze speculum Northern Pintail Anas acuta 2X size of American green- winged teal & tertials different 19 Diving Ducks 20 Canvasback 15 in. BL (Aythya valisineria) 34 in. WS • Long sloping forehead and peaked crown • Black bill Drake Hen • Red eye, head, and neck • Brown eye, head, and neck • Black chest and breast • Brown chest and breast • Pale gray back & flanks • Pale gray back and flanks Canvasback Aythya valisineria 21 Redhead (Aythya americana) 14.5 in. BL 33 in. WS • Smoothly rounded head • Dark wing with grayish secondaries Drake Hen • Red head & neck; yellow eye! • Brown eye, head, and neck • Blue bill w/ white ring before • Blue-gray bill w/ faint white black tip ring before black tip Redhead vs. Canvasback Canvasback Redhead 22 Ring-necked Duck 12 in. BL (Aythya collaris) 28 in. WS • Bill with white semi-terminal ring • White/cream-colored ring at base of bill Drake Hen • Purple head & neck; yellow eye • Brown eye, head, and neck • Gray flanks with vertical white • Faint white eye ring and finger near black chest solid white ring before tip Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris 23 Lesser Scaup Greater Scaup (Aythya affinis) (Aythya marila) 12 in. BL 29 in. WS 13 in. BL 31 in. WS • Purplish head • Greenish head • White on wing restricted • White on speculum extends to speculum to primaries • Body size • Body size Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Lesser vs. Greater Scaup Lesser Greater 24 Lesser Greater Common Goldeneye 13 in. BL (Bucephala clangula) 31 in. WS • Short, stubby bill • Body rides low in water Drake Hen • Green head & neck; yellow eye • Redish-brown head • White circular cheek patch • Terminus of bill light colored • All white chest, breast, flanks • Gray body 25 Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) CGE BGE 13 in. BL 31 in. WS • Steeply sloped forehead • Purplish head and large crest • White tear-drop shaped cheek patch • White neck, breast and belly • Dark back Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Female Male 26 Bufflehead 10 in. BL(Bucephala albeola) 24 in. WS • “Smallest duck in North America” • Very small dark gray bill Drake Hen • Dark iridescent head • Dull brown head • Large white patch extending • White longitudinal stripe on from back of head to eye cheek • White body • Brown body Bufflehead ½ the size of Bucephala albeola common goldeneye 27 Hooded Merganser 13 in. BL (Lophodytes cucullatus) 26 in. WS • Long, pointed serrated bill • Fan-like crest, small body, yellow eye Drake Hen • Black forehead, cheek, & crest • Brown head, neck, flanks, • White cheek/crest patch not back, and wings w/ paler breast extending to eye • Faint reddish tinge to crest Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus 28 Common Merganser 18 in. BL (Mergus merganser) 37 in. WS • Long, pointed serrated bill that is thick at base • Brown eye Drake Hen • Dark green head with no crest • Copper-colored head with crisp • White body and black back chest separation • Distinct white chin patch Common Merganser Red- Breasted Common 29 Ruddy Duck 11 in. BL (Oxyura jamaicensis) 23 in. WS • Small, chunky diving duck with flat, wide bill • Long stiff retrices that are often held vertically Drake Hen • Bright blue bill • Dull brown bill • Rust colored body • Dusky longitudinal cheek stripe • White cheek & under tail coverts • Gray-brown body Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis 30 North American Waterfowl NOT Required for WFS 536 Emperor Goose (Chen canagica) 18 in. BL 43 in. WS • Mostly gray plumage with black and white feather edging • White head and neck • Black throat and foreneck • Pink bill Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 17 in. BL “Largest Duck in NA” 41 in. WS • Bill feathered along side almost to nostril • Long sloping forehead • Black crown; light green back of head • All white chest & breast; black belly & sides 31 Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri) 15 in. BL 36 in. WS Endangered •Bill feathered along side almost to nostril • Long sloping forehead •Pale green head w/ large white patch around eye • Yellow bill; black under- & white upper-parts King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) 16 in. BL 37 in. WS “The most northern of the eiders” • Bill feathered partly along side • Steep forehead • Pale blue crown & back of head; green cheek • Yellow forehead outlined in black; orange bill White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca) 16 in.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Tinamiformes – Falconiformes
    LIST OF THE 2,008 BIRD SPECIES (WITH SCIENTIFIC AND ENGLISH NAMES) KNOWN FROM THE A.O.U. CHECK-LIST AREA. Notes: "(A)" = accidental/casualin A.O.U. area; "(H)" -- recordedin A.O.U. area only from Hawaii; "(I)" = introducedinto A.O.U. area; "(N)" = has not bred in A.O.U. area but occursregularly as nonbreedingvisitor; "?" precedingname = extinct. TINAMIFORMES TINAMIDAE Tinamus major Great Tinamou. Nothocercusbonapartei Highland Tinamou. Crypturellus soui Little Tinamou. Crypturelluscinnamomeus Thicket Tinamou. Crypturellusboucardi Slaty-breastedTinamou. Crypturellus kerriae Choco Tinamou. GAVIIFORMES GAVIIDAE Gavia stellata Red-throated Loon. Gavia arctica Arctic Loon. Gavia pacifica Pacific Loon. Gavia immer Common Loon. Gavia adamsii Yellow-billed Loon. PODICIPEDIFORMES PODICIPEDIDAE Tachybaptusdominicus Least Grebe. Podilymbuspodiceps Pied-billed Grebe. ?Podilymbusgigas Atitlan Grebe. Podicepsauritus Horned Grebe. Podicepsgrisegena Red-neckedGrebe. Podicepsnigricollis Eared Grebe. Aechmophorusoccidentalis Western Grebe. Aechmophorusclarkii Clark's Grebe. PROCELLARIIFORMES DIOMEDEIDAE Thalassarchechlororhynchos Yellow-nosed Albatross. (A) Thalassarchecauta Shy Albatross.(A) Thalassarchemelanophris Black-browed Albatross. (A) Phoebetriapalpebrata Light-mantled Albatross. (A) Diomedea exulans WanderingAlbatross. (A) Phoebastriaimmutabilis Laysan Albatross. Phoebastrianigripes Black-lootedAlbatross. Phoebastriaalbatrus Short-tailedAlbatross. (N) PROCELLARIIDAE Fulmarus glacialis Northern Fulmar. Pterodroma neglecta KermadecPetrel. (A) Pterodroma
    [Show full text]
  • A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard Papers in the Biological Sciences 2010 The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World" (2010). Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard. 20. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans/20 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 200 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World Paul A. Johnsgard Pages xvii–xxiii: recent taxonomic changes, I have revised sev- Introduction to the Family Anatidae eral of the range maps to conform with more current information. For these updates I have Since the 978 publication of my Ducks, Geese relied largely on Kear (2005). and Swans of the World hundreds if not thou- Other important waterfowl books published sands of publications on the Anatidae have since 978 and covering the entire waterfowl appeared, making a comprehensive literature family include an identification guide to the supplement and text updating impossible.
    [Show full text]
  • References.Qxd 12/14/2004 10:35 AM Page 771
    Ducks_References.qxd 12/14/2004 10:35 AM Page 771 References Aarvak, T. and Øien, I.J. 1994. Dverggås Anser Adams, J.S. 1971. Black Swan at Lake Ellesmere. erythropus—en truet art i Norge. Vår Fuglefauna 17: 70–80. Wildl. Rev. 3: 23–25. Aarvak, T. and Øien, I.J. 2003. Moult and autumn Adams, P.A., Robertson, G.J. and Jones, I.L. 2000. migration of non-breeding Fennoscandian Lesser White- Time-activity budgets of Harlequin Ducks molting in fronted Geese Anser erythropus mapped by satellite the Gannet Islands, Labrador. Condor 102: 703–08. telemetry. Bird Conservation International 13: 213–226. Adrian, W.L., Spraker, T.R. and Davies, R.B. 1978. Aarvak, T., Øien, I.J. and Nagy, S. 1996. The Lesser Epornitics of aspergillosis in Mallards Anas platyrhynchos White-fronted Goose monitoring programme,Ann. Rept. in north central Colorado. J. Wildl. Dis. 14: 212–17. 1996, NOF Rappportserie, No. 7. Norwegian Ornitho- AEWA 2000. Report on the conservation status of logical Society, Klaebu. migratory waterbirds in the agreement area. Technical Series Aarvak, T., Øien, I.J., Syroechkovski Jr., E.E. and No. 1.Wetlands International,Wageningen, Netherlands. Kostadinova, I. 1997. The Lesser White-fronted Goose Afton, A.D. 1983. Male and female strategies for Monitoring Programme.Annual Report 1997. Klæbu, reproduction in Lesser Scaup. Unpubl. Ph.D. thesis. Norwegian Ornithological Society. NOF Raportserie, Univ. North Dakota, Grand Forks, US. Report no. 5-1997. Afton, A.D. 1984. Influence of age and time on Abbott, C.C. 1861. Notes on the birds of the Falkland reproductive performance of female Lesser Scaup.
    [Show full text]
  • Sea Duck Curriculum Revised
    Sea Ducks of Alaska Activity Guide Acknowledgments Contact Information: Project Coordinator: Marilyn Sigman, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Education: Written By: Sea Duck Activity Guide, Teaching Kit and Display: Elizabeth Trowbridge, Center for Alaskan Coastal Marilyn Sigman Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Studies P.O. Box 2225 Homer, AK 99603 Illustrations by: (907) 235-6667 Bill Kitzmiller, Conrad Field and Fineline Graphics [email protected] (Alaska Wildlife Curriculum Illustrations), Elizabeth Alaska Wildlife Curricula Trowbridge Robin Dublin Wildlife Education Coordinator Reviewers: Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game Marilyn Sigman, Bree Murphy, Lisa Ellington, Tim Division of Wildlife Conservation Bowman, Tom Rothe 333 Raspberry Rd. Anchorage, AK 99518-1599 (907)267-2168 Funded By: [email protected] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Coastal Program and Scientific/technical Information: The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, State Duck Tim Bowman Stamp Program Sea Duck Joint Venture Coordinator (Pacific) The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies would like to thank U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service the following people for their time and commitment to sea 1011 E. Tudor Rd. duck education: Tim Bowman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Anchorage, AK 99503 Service, Sea Duck Joint Venture Project, for providing (907) 786-3569 background technical information, photographs and [email protected] support for this activity guide and the sea duck traveling SEADUCKJV.ORG display; Tom Rothe and Dan Rosenberg of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for technical information, Tom Rothe presentations and photographs for both the sea duck Waterfowl Coordinator traveling display and the activity guide species identifica- Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game tion cards; John DeLapp, U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Birds on San Clemente Island, As Part of Our Work Toward the Recovery of the Island’S Endangered Species
    WESTERN BIRDS Volume 36, Number 3, 2005 THE BIRDS OF SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND BRIAN L. SULLIVAN, PRBO Conservation Science, 4990 Shoreline Hwy., Stinson Beach, California 94970-9701 (current address: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, New York 14850) ERIC L. KERSHNER, Institute for Wildlife Studies, 2515 Camino del Rio South, Suite 334, San Diego, California 92108 With contributing authors JONATHAN J. DUNN, ROBB S. A. KALER, SUELLEN LYNN, NICOLE M. MUNKWITZ, and JONATHAN H. PLISSNER ABSTRACT: From 1992 to 2004, we observed birds on San Clemente Island, as part of our work toward the recovery of the island’s endangered species. We increased the island’s bird list to 317 species, by recording many additional vagrants and seabirds. The list includes 20 regular extant breeding species, 6 species extirpated as breeders, 5 nonnative introduced species, and 9 sporadic or newly colonizing breeding species. For decades San Clemente Island had been ravaged by overgrazing, especially by goats, which were removed completely in 1993. Since then, the island’s vegetation has begun recovering, and the island’s avifauna will likely change again as a result. We document here the status of that avifauna during this transitional period of re- growth, between the island’s being largely denuded of vegetation and a more natural state. It is still too early to evaluate the effects of the vegetation’s still partial recovery on birds, but the beginnings of recovery may have enabled the recent colonization of small numbers of Grasshopper Sparrows and Lazuli Buntings. Sponsored by the U. S. Navy, efforts to restore the island’s endangered species continue—among birds these are the Loggerhead Shrike and Sage Sparrow.
    [Show full text]
  • Mitogenomics Supports an Unexpected Taxonomic Relationship for the Extinct Diving Duck Chendytes Lawi and Definitively Places the Extinct Labrador Duck ⁎ Janet C
    Buckner, et al. Published in Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution, 122:102-109. 2018 Mitogenomics supports an unexpected taxonomic relationship for the extinct diving duck Chendytes lawi and definitively places the extinct Labrador Duck ⁎ Janet C. Bucknera, Ryan Ellingsona, David A. Goldb, Terry L. Jonesc, David K. Jacobsa, a Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States b Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, United States c Department of Social Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 9340, United States ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Chendytes lawi, an extinct flightless diving anseriform from coastal California, was traditionally classified as a sea Biodiversity duck, tribe Mergini, based on similarities in osteological characters. We recover and analyze mitochondrial Anatidae genomes of C. lawi and five additional Mergini species, including the extinct Labrador Duck, Camptorhynchus Ancient DNA labradorius. Despite its diving morphology, C. lawi is reconstructed as an ancient relictual lineage basal to the Labrador duck dabbling ducks (tribe Anatini), revealing an additional example of convergent evolution of characters related to Mitochondrial genome feeding behavior among ducks. The Labrador Duck is sister to Steller’s Eider which may provide insights into the California paleontology Duck evolution evolution and ecology of this poorly known extinct species. Our results demonstrate that inclusion of full length mitogenomes, from taxonomically distributed ancient and modern sources can improve phylogeny reconstruc- tion of groups previously assessed with shorter single-gene mitochondrial sequences. 1. Introduction an extended study by Livezey (1993) suggested placement in the eider genus Somateria.
    [Show full text]
  • Energy-Based Carrying Capacities of Bufflehead Bucephala Albeola Wintering Habitats Richard A
    University of Rhode Island DigitalCommons@URI Natural Resources Science Faculty Publications Natural Resources Science 2012 Energy-Based Carrying Capacities of Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Wintering Habitats Richard A. McKinney Scott R. McWilliams University of Rhode Island, [email protected] Creative Commons License Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/nrs_facpubs Citation/Publisher Attribution McKinney, R. A., & McWilliams, S. R. (2012). Energy-Based Carrying Capacities of Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Wintering Habitats. The Open Ornithology Journal, 5, 5-17. doi: 10.2174/1874453201205010005 Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874453201205010005 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Natural Resources Science at DigitalCommons@URI. It has been accepted for inclusion in Natural Resources Science Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@URI. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Open Ornithology Journal, 2012, 5, 5-17 5 Open Access Energy-Based Carrying Capacities of Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Wintering Habitats Richard A. McKinney*,1 and Scott R. McWilliams2 1US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Atlantic Ecology Division, 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA 2Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA Abstract: We present a model for calculating energy-based carrying capacities for bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), a small North American sea duck wintering in coastal and estuarine habitats. Our model uses estimates of the seasonal energy expenditures that incorporate site-specific energetic costs of thermoregulation, along with available prey energy densities to calculate carrying capacities in numbers of birds per winter.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Birds of the Estero Bay Area
    Common Birds of the Estero Bay Area Jeremy Beaulieu Lisa Andreano Michael Walgren Introduction The following is a guide to the common birds of the Estero Bay Area. Brief descriptions are provided as well as active months and status listings. Photos are primarily courtesy of Greg Smith. Species are arranged by family according to the Sibley Guide to Birds (2000). Gaviidae Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata Occurrence: Common Active Months: November-April Federal Status: None State/Audubon Status: None Description: A small loon seldom seen far from salt water. In the non-breeding season they have a grey face and red throat. They have a long slender dark bill and white speckling on their dark back. Information: These birds are winter residents to the Central Coast. Wintering Red- throated Loons can gather in large numbers in Morro Bay if food is abundant. They are common on salt water of all depths but frequently forage in shallow bays and estuaries rather than far out at sea. Because their legs are located so far back, loons have difficulty walking on land and are rarely found far from water. Most loons must paddle furiously across the surface of the water before becoming airborne, but these small loons can practically spring directly into the air from land, a useful ability on its artic tundra breeding grounds. Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica Occurrence: Common Active Months: November-April Federal Status: None State/Audubon Status: None Description: The Pacific Loon has a shorter neck than the Red-throated Loon. The bill is very straight and the head is very smoothly rounded.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix, French Names, Supplement
    685 APPENDIX Part 1. Speciesreported from the A.O.U. Check-list area with insufficient evidencefor placementon the main list. Specieson this list havebeen reported (published) as occurring in the geographicarea coveredby this Check-list.However, their occurrenceis considered hypotheticalfor one of more of the following reasons: 1. Physicalevidence for their presence(e.g., specimen,photograph, video-tape, audio- recording)is lacking,of disputedorigin, or unknown.See the Prefacefor furtherdiscussion. 2. The naturaloccurrence (unrestrained by humans)of the speciesis disputed. 3. An introducedpopulation has failed to becomeestablished. 4. Inclusionin previouseditions of the Check-listwas basedexclusively on recordsfrom Greenland, which is now outside the A.O.U. Check-list area. Phoebastria irrorata (Salvin). Waved Albatross. Diornedeairrorata Salvin, 1883, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 430. (Callao Bay, Peru.) This speciesbreeds on Hood Island in the Galapagosand on Isla de la Plata off Ecuador, and rangesat seaalong the coastsof Ecuadorand Peru. A specimenwas takenjust outside the North American area at Octavia Rocks, Colombia, near the Panama-Colombiaboundary (8 March 1941, R. C. Murphy). There are sight reportsfrom Panama,west of Pitias Bay, Dari6n, 26 February1941 (Ridgely 1976), and southwestof the Pearl Islands,27 September 1964. Also known as GalapagosAlbatross. ThalassarchechrysosWma (Forster). Gray-headed Albatross. Diornedeachrysostorna J. R. Forster,1785, M6m. Math. Phys. Acad. Sci. Paris 10: 571, pl. 14. (voisinagedu cerclepolaire antarctique & dansl'Ocean Pacifique= Isla de los Estados[= StatenIsland], off Tierra del Fuego.) This speciesbreeds on islandsoff CapeHorn, in the SouthAtlantic, in the southernIndian Ocean,and off New Zealand.Reports from Oregon(mouth of the ColumbiaRiver), California (coastnear Golden Gate), and Panama(Bay of Chiriqu0 are unsatisfactory(see A.O.U.
    [Show full text]
  • The Function and Evolution of the Supraorbital Process in Ducks
    THE FUNCTION AND EVOLUTION OF THE SUPRAORBITAL PROCESS IN DUCKS ROBERTJ. RAIKOW THE anteriormargin of the orbit in ducksis formedby the lacrimalbone, which articulateswith the anterolateralmargin of the frontal boneand the posterodorsalcorner of the maxillary processof the nasal bone. The evolu- tion of this bone in birds generally has been dealt with recently by Cracraft (Amer. Midl. Naturalist, 80: 316, 1968), whoseterminology for the parts of the lacrimal bone is followedhere. In many ducksthe postero- dorsalcorner of the lacrimal is marked by a small tubercle,which serves as the site of attachment of the anterior end of the orbital membrane,a sheetof connectivetissue that coversand protectsthe dorsalaspect of the eyeball. In some forms this tubercle has become elongated to form a stout, finger-like projection, the supraorbitalprocess. This appears to provide mechanicalprotection to the eyeball and salt gland (Figure 1). Table 1 lists the occurrenceand degree of developmentof this process in the skulls of all living generaof ducks. CORRELATION WITH FEEDING AND LOCOMOTOR HABITS In the following discussion,data on feeding habits are from Delacour (The waterfowlof the world,vols. 1-3, London,Country Life Ltd., 1954, 1956, 1959). Table 1 showsthat the supraorbital processis developed significantlyonly in certain groupsof ducks that feed underwater. It is absentor rudimentaryin the Tadornini, Cairinini, and Anatini, which are primarily surfacefeeders, but also in Merganetta arma.ta,the Torrent Duck, which feedsunderwater. In the Aythyini it is fairly well-developed in severalspecies of Aythya, which are excellentdivers, but is rudimentary in Netta peposaca,which is moreof a surfacefeeder. It is alsorudimentary in the Canvasback,Aythya valisineria,which dives for vegetation.Among the Mergini the supraorbitalprocess is highly developedin eiders (Poly- sticta, Somateria) , scoters( M elanitta) , and Long-tailed Duck ( Clangula byemalls), all of which feed mainly on invertebratestaken from the bottom.
    [Show full text]
  • Lista Das Aves Do Brasil
    90 Annotated checklist of the birds of Brazil by the Brazilian Ornithological Records Committee / Lista comentada das aves do Brasil pelo Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos content / conteÚDO Abstract ............................. 91 Charadriiformes ......................121 Scleruridae .............187 Charadriidae .........121 Dendrocolaptidae ...188 Introduction ........................ 92 Haematopodidae ...121 Xenopidae .............. 195 Methods ................................ 92 Recurvirostridae ....122 Furnariidae ............. 195 Burhinidae ............122 Tyrannides .......................203 Results ................................... 94 Chionidae .............122 Pipridae ..................203 Scolopacidae .........122 Oxyruncidae ..........206 Discussion ............................. 94 Thinocoridae .........124 Onychorhynchidae 206 Checklist of birds of Brazil 96 Jacanidae ...............124 Tityridae ................207 Rheiformes .............................. 96 Rostratulidae .........124 Cotingidae .............209 Tinamiformes .......................... 96 Glareolidae ............124 Pipritidae ............... 211 Anseriformes ........................... 98 Stercorariidae ........125 Platyrinchidae......... 211 Anhimidae ............ 98 Laridae ..................125 Tachurisidae ...........212 Anatidae ................ 98 Sternidae ...............126 Rhynchocyclidae ....212 Galliformes ..............................100 Rynchopidae .........127 Tyrannidae ............. 218 Cracidae ................100 Columbiformes
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeny and Comparative Ecology of Stiff-Tailed Ducks (Anatidae: Oxyurini)
    Wilson Bull., 107(2), 1995, pp. 214-234 PHYLOGENY AND COMPARATIVE ECOLOGY OF STIFF-TAILED DUCKS (ANATIDAE: OXYURINI) BRADLEY C. LIVEZEY’ ABSTRACT.-A cladistic analysis of the stiff-tailed ducks (Anatidae: Oxyurini) was con- ducted using 92 morphological characters. The analysis produced one minimum-length, completely dichotomous phylogenetic tree of high consistency (consistency index for infor- mative characters, 0.74). Monophyly of the tribe was supported by 17 unambiguous syna- pomorphies. Within the tribe, Heteronetta (1 species) is the sister-group of other members; within the latter clade (supported by 2 1 unambiguous synapomorphies), Nomonyx (1 species) is the sister-group of Oxyura (6 species) + Biziura (I species). The latter clade is supported by 10 unambiguous synapomorphies. Monophyly of Oxyuru proper is supported by three unambiguous synapomorphies. All branches in the shortest tree except that uniting Oxyuva, exclusive of jumaicensis, were conserved in a majority-rule consensus tree of 1000 boot- strapped replicates. Biziuru and (to a lesser extent) Heteronetta were highly autapomorphic. Modest evolutionary patterns in body mass, reproductive parameters, and sexual dimorphism are evident, with the most marked, correlated changes occurring in Heteronetta and (es- pecially) Biziura. The implications of these evolutionary trends for reproductive ecology and biogeographic patterns are discussed, and a phylogenetic classification of the tribe is presented. Received 27 April 1994, accepted 10 Nov. 1994. The stiff-tailed ducks (Anatidae: Oxyurini) include some of the most distinctive species of waterfowl; among its members are the only obligate nest-parasite (Black-headed Duck; Heteronetta atricapilla) and the spe- cies showing the greatest sexual size dimorphism (Musk Duck; Biziuru lob&z) in the order Anseriformes (Delacour 1959; Johnsgard 1962, 1978; Weller 1968; Livezey 1986).
    [Show full text]