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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.
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  • Lista Das Aves Do Brasil

    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
  • Phylogeny and Comparative Ecology of Stiff-Tailed Ducks (Anatidae: Oxyurini)

    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).