DOCSLIB.ORG

Subfamily Anserinae

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Waterfowl Identification WFS 340 Order Family Anseriformes Anatidae Anas acuta Matthew J. Gray & Melissa A. Foster University of Tennessee Subfamily Anserinae Tribe Dendrocygnini Tribe Cygnini Tribe Anserini Whistling or Swans True Geese Treeducks (Not Required) (Not Covered) Mute Swan “The Most Aggressive (Cygnus olor) Swan in NA” 40 in. BL 90 in. WS • Not native • Large, long-necked waterbird with entirely white plumage and black legs and feet • Orange bill with black base; knob above bill • Neck held in distinctive "S" curve • Wings hum in flight 1 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 36 in. BL Tundra Swan 85 in. WS (Cygnus columbianus) • Large, long-necked waterbird with entirely white plumage and black legs and feet • Neck usually held straight up (shorter than trumpeter) • Long, slightly concave black bill that extends to eye ending in a yellow “tear drop” 2 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 White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) 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 3 Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 30-43 in. BL 7 subspecies 50-68 in. WS • Medium to large long-necked goose • Black bill, head, and neck • White throat patch extends up to cheek • Brown back, upper wing, and flanks Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) – Not Required 22 - 30 in. BL 4 Subspecies • Small to medium long-necked goose • Black bill, head, and neck • White throat patch extends up to cheek • Brown back, upper wing, and flanks Giant Canada Cackling Goose 4 Canada Goose Cackling Goose (Branta canadensis)(B. hutchinsii) Subfamily Anatinae Tribe Cairinini Tribe Anatini Tribe Aythyini Perching Ducks Dabbling Ducks Diving Ducks Tribe Mergini Tribe Oxyurini Sea Ducks—Not Covered Stiff-tailed Ducks 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 5 Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) Mallard 16 in. BL (Anas platyrhynchos) 36 in. WS Drake Hen • Green head • Orange bill with black central • Yellow or olive bill patch • White ring around neck • Dark cap and eye line • Chestnut breast • Mottled brown/tan plumage • Gray belly and flanks Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 6 American Black Duck 16 in. BL (Anas rubripes) 36 in. WS “A Forest Duck” 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 American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) American Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) “The fastest duck in NA” 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 7 American Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) 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 Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 8 Gadwall 14.5 in. BL(Anas strepera) 35 in. WS • Average-sized duck with steep forehead • White speculum (only dabbler) and black rump Drake Hen • Black bill • Gray bill with orange edges Gadwall (Anas strepera) American Wigeon 14 in. BL (Anas americana) 34 in. WS • 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 9 American Wigeon (Anas americana) 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 vertical stripe • Bronze speculum Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) 10 Northern Shoveler 14 in. BL (Anas clypeata) 31 in. WS “A very territorial breeder” • 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 Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) Canvasback 15 in. BL (Aythya valisineria) 34 in. WS One of the fastest ducks (>100 km/h) • 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 11 Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) 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 (Aythya americana) 12 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 finger near black chest Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) Lesser Scaup Greater Scaup (Aythya affinis) (Aythya marila) 12 in. BL 29 in. WS 13 in. BL 31 in. WS Transcontinental Coastal Areas • Purplish head • Greenish head • White on wing restricted • White on speculum extends to speculum to primaries • Body size • Body size 13 Lesser Scaup Greater Scaup (Aythya affinis) (Aythya marila) Common Goldeneye 13 in. BL (Bucephala clangula) 31 in. WS Transcontinental • 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 Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 14 Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) CGE BGE “The most territorial of NA ducks” 13 in. BL 31 in. WS Coastal • Steeply sloped forehead • Purplish head and large crest • White tear-drop shaped cheek patch • White neck, breast and belly • Dark back Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) 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 15 Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) Hooded Merganser 13 in. BL (Lophodytes cucullatus) 26 in. WS “Smallest merganser” • 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) 16 Common Merganser 18 in. BL (Mergus merganser) 37 in. WS “Largest merganser” • 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 (Mergus merganser) Ruddy Duck 11 in. BL (Oxyura jamaicensis) 23 in. WS Can move through water waveless • 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 17 Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) Practice Quiz 18 19 20 21 Bonus Question 22 23 24 25 26.
Recommended publications
  • 'Alae 'Ula (Hawaiian Moorhen)

    'Alae 'Ula (Hawaiian Moorhen)

    NATIVE WATERBIRDS AVIAN NEWCOMERS These newly-created wetlands have been rapidly colonized by native waterbirds, Many non-native birds are attracted to the wetland restoration as well. The including four species that are highly endangered and found only in the Hawaiian long-necked white waders are Cattle Egrets, native to the Old World. Non-native Islands. The ‘Alae ‘Ula, or Hawaiian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis), songbirds include the Common Myna, White-rumped Shama, two unrelated kinds of and Koloa Maoli, or Koloa Duck (Anas wyvilliana), have by now raised many broods cardinals, and three kinds of doves. Many of these exotic species probably became here, nesting among the native sedges. The Ae‘o, or Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus established in recent decades as escaped cage birds. Before the accidental mexicanus knudseni), and the Nēnē, or Hawaiian Goose (Branta sandvicensis), stop introduction of mosquitoes in the 19th century and bird diseases they carry, by almost daily to rest and feed. In the morning and evening, watch for the ‘Auku‘u these coastal lowlands were home to native honeycreepers and other native or Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). Long-distance migrants such songbirds, preserved abundantly in the fossil record of Makauwahi Cave. as the Kōlea or Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis( fulva) stop to rest and often winter here, as part of their annual 10,000-mile migration from breeding grounds in the Arctic to wintering sites in the tropics. Bones of all these bird species occur as fossils in the sediment of adjacent Makauwahi Cave, showing that they have thrived here for thousands of years.
  • Free Download! the Trumpeter Swan

    Free Download! the Trumpeter Swan

    G3647 The Trumpeter Swan by Sumner Matteson, Scott Craven and Donna Compton Snow-white Trumpeter Swans present a truly spectac- Swans of the Midwest ular sight. With a wingspan of more than 7 feet and a rumpeter Swans, along with ducks and geese, belong height of about 4 feet, the Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buc- to the avian Order Anseriformes, Family Anatidae. cinator) ranks as the largest native waterfowl species in T Trumpeters have broad, flat bills with fine tooth-like North America. serrations along the edges which allow them to strain Because the Trumpeter Swan disappeared as a breed- aquatic plants and water. The birds’ long necks and ing bird in the Midwest, several states have launched strong feet allow them to uproot plants in water up to 4 restoration programs to reintroduce it to the region. This feet deep. publication will provide you with background informa- Most Trumpeter Swans weigh 21–30 pounds, tion on the Trumpeter Swan’s status and life history, and although some males exceed the average weight. The on restoration efforts being conducted in the upper male is called a cob; the female is called a pen; and a swan Midwest. in its first year is called a cygnet or juve- nile. The Trumpeter is often con- fused with the far more common Tundra Swan (formerly Whistling Swan, Cygnus columbianus), the only other native swan found routinely in North America. Tundra Swans can be seen in the upper Trumpeter Swan Midwest only during spring and fall migration. You can distinguish between the two native species most accurately by listening to their calls.
  • Wild Geese in Captivity by Bob Elgas Big Timber, Montana

    Wild Geese in Captivity by Bob Elgas Big Timber, Montana

    Wild Geese in Captivity by Bob Elgas Big Timber, Montana Man has always been fascinated by, Wild geese were frequently depicted exists, and wild geese have become and has had a close association with, on ancient structures. Indeed, the increasingly popular with avicul­ wild geese. As a result of their ten- Swan goose of China, and the Greylag turists. dency to vocalize an objection to of Europe were domesticated eons Throughout the world there are nocturnal disturbances, the early ago, long before the dawn of written some 15 species of wild geese, with Romans utilized them as watchdogs.. history. Even today the fascination numerous sub-species, all of which are native to the northern hemi­ sphere. Interestingly, there are no true geese in the southern hemisphere. South America is represented by a specialized group known as sheld­ geese, while Africa and Australia are represented by a number of birds with goose-like characteristics. Sheld­ geese are actually modified ducks which, through the evolutionary process, have assumed goose-like similarities. One of the more obvious differences is the dimorphism of sexes characterized by sheldgeese ­ males being of completely different plumage than females. In true geese, both sexes are alike. Although the birds from the southern hemisphere are interesting in their own right, the differences are so great that they can­ not be classified with the true geese. The geese of the northern hemi­ sphere are divided into two groups ­ the genus Anset; which is representa­ tive of the true geese, and the genus A representative ofthe genus Anser is thispair ofEmperorgeese (Anser canagicus).
  • THE ALEUTIAN CACKLING GOOSE in ARIZONA DAVID VANDER PLUYM, 2841 Mcculloch Blvd

    THE ALEUTIAN CACKLING GOOSE in ARIZONA DAVID VANDER PLUYM, 2841 Mcculloch Blvd

    THE ALEUTIAN CACKLING GOOSE IN ARIZONA DAVID VANDER PLUYM, 2841 McCulloch Blvd. N #1, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 86403; [email protected] ABSTRACT: There is little published information about the occurrence of the Aleutian Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia) in Arizona. Formerly listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this subspecies has rebounded, leading to an increase in numbers occurring outside its core range, including Arizona. Since the first in 1975, at least 24 well-founded records for Arizona have accumulated, one supported by a specimen, two by band recoveries, and 20 by diagnostic photo- graphs. Since 2013 the Aleutian Cackling Goose has occurred in Arizona annually between November and February. It is most frequent along the Colorado River, but records extend as far east as Willcox, Cochise County. The taxonomy of the “white-cheeked” geese is complex and debated. Currently, most treatments list 11 or 12 taxa in this group, and Banks et al. (2004) split them into two species: the Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) and the Canada Goose (B. canadensis). Taxonomists generally recognize four extant subspecies of the Cackling Goose: hutchinsii, taverneri, minima, and leucopareia (Aleutian Cackling Goose). The now extinct population formerly breeding in the Commander and Kuril islands in Russia and wintering south to Japan has been considered a separate subspecies, asiatica (Banks et al. 2004), or a western population of leucopareia (e.g., Baldassarre 2014, Reeber 2015). Birds discovered breeding on the Semidi Islands in 1979 and wintering in coastal Oregon are phenotypically interme- diate between other populations of leucopareia and taverneri (Hatch and Hatch 1983) and do differ genetically from other populations of leucopareia, but they likely represent distinct populations of leucopareia rather than a valid separate taxon (Pierson et al.
  • Tinamiformes – Falconiformes

    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
  • A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World

    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.
  • Cackling Geese in the East

    Cackling Geese in the East

    Cackling Geese in the East Since 2004, when Cackling Geese were formally split from Canada Geese, birders have been keeping an eye out for small-bodied and short-billed geese, termed Cackling Geese, mixed in with “typical” large-bodied, wedge-headed Canada Geese. This ID challenge is very much like a birders version of “Where’s Waldo?”An excellent overview of this split was provided by OMNR waterfowl expert, Ken Abraham, in the winter of 2005. Here’s the link: http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/articles.cacklinggoose. I will attempt to make this discussion as clear, digestible, and casual as possible, but if anything is unclear, please email me at [email protected] and I would be happy to go over material. Below I provide an identification overview of “Richardson’s” (hutchinsii) Cackling Geese, Myth Busting, and Quiz photos. ______________________________________________________________________________ “Richardson’s” (hutchinsii) Cackling Geese Figure 1: Ontario’s Cackling Geese: an example of five “classic” hutchinsii Cackling Geese. Note the diminutive size overall; steep forehead; proportionally small head with “blocky” shape in most postures; peaked rear to crown; relatively thick and short bill (variable and may sometimes show a pronounced droop nearest the tip; lending to a Roman’s Nose look); show short and stubby neck (esp. in relaxed posture); small, compact body; pale emarginations often seen but not always; breast averages paler than Canada Geese but this is not the case on some birds, esp. juveniles. Andrew Haydon Park — 1 October 2013. Figure 2: More prototypical hutchinsii Cackling Geese, with three interior Canada Geese at back.
  • Duck, Duck, Goose

    Duck, Duck, Goose

    MAY /JUNE PHOTO QUIZ ANSWERS Duck, Duck, Goose aterfowl are among the most readily observed fam - Wilies of birds, admired by birders and non-birders alike. They are often easily identified, al - though similar species certainly present identification challenges. Most species of waterfowl can be identified by shape, size, and over - all color pattern alone. Structural characteristics hardly ever fail, and you can avoid deciphering the complicated molts and plumages of ducks, including the dreaded identification of ducks in eclipse plumage. There are times when an understanding of molt or knowl - edge of a unique plumage detail Quiz Photo A—early January . will allow you to determine the age and sex of a challenging duck at hand, but such little? Do we have anything to compare it to, so as details often are not necessary to name an individ - to judge relative size? There are several birds in ual to species. For practice, we’ll go a step beyond the background, and they are of similar shape. species identification in this quiz with brief dis - From what’s visible in the photo, they all look cussions on aging, sexing, and sub - roughly the same, so comparing our quiz bird Jessie H. Barry species. with others is not particularly helpful this time, The title already gave away that we are but it is often a great place to start. 218 Sapsucker Woods Road dealing with ducks and geese here. Ducks come in an array of shapes and sizes, as Ithaca, New York 14850 These birds are known for swimming, different species are specially adapted to utilize [email protected] for visually striking diurnal migrations, various aqueous habitats, where they feed on a and for their quacks and honks.
  • Predation of Flightless Pink-Footed Geese (Anser

    Predation of Flightless Pink-Footed Geese (Anser

    RESEARCH NOTE Predation of flightless pink-footed geese (Anser brachyrhynchus) by Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in southern Edgeøya, Svalbardpor_180 455..457 Anthony D. Fox,1 Gwen F. Fox,2 Arne Liaklev3 & Niklas Gerhardsson4 1 Department of Wildlife Ecology and Biodiversity, National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Kalø, Grenåvej 14, DK-8410 Rønde, Denmark 2 Ramtenvej 54, DK-8581 Nimtofte, Denmark 3 Rustefjelbma, NO-9845 Tana, Norway 4 Svalbard Huskies, PO Box 543, NO-9171 Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway Keywords Abstract Anserinae; mortality; moult migration. Observations of walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) predation of flightless Correspondence pink-footed geese (Anser brachyrhynchus) at an important moult site in south- Anthony D. Fox, Department of Wildlife ern Edgeøya, Svalbard, constitute the first documented evidence of flightless Ecology and Biodiversity, National Anatidae being taken by this species. Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Kalø, Grenåvej 14, DK-8410 Rønde, Denmark. E-mail: [email protected] doi:10.1111/j.1751-8369.2010.00180.x A satellite telemetry study of Svalbard pink-footed geese was protected in 1952 (Norderhaug 1969; Lydersen et al. (Anser brachyrhynchus) showed that tagged non-breeding 2008). Since then, numbers have increased under protec- geese moved approximately 200 km east from potential tion, and some 79 haul-outs are known around the coasts breeding areas in western Spitsbergen, mostly to of Svalbard, amounting to an estimated total population Edgeøya, to undertake wing moult (Glahder et al. 2007). of 2629 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2318–2998) indi- Those authors contended that the non-breeding geese, viduals. One of the largest haul-outs is at Andreétangen freed from allegiance to brood-rearing areas, moved east (77°23′N, 22°37′E) in south-east Svalbard, where 125 to exploit the delayed thaw compared with central and were seen in August 2006 (Lydersen et al.
  • Hooded Merganser

    Hooded Merganser

    Mergansers Order Anseriformes Family Anatinae Subfamily Mergini The Mergansers are grouped among the diving ducks but belong to their own subfamily. They are long, slender-bodied diving ducks with long, narrow saw-edged (or serrated - below, center) bills, which help them grip and hold on to fish. Often called “sawbirds,” mergansers are known for their colorful plumage and habits of flying fast & close to the water’s surface. Most species have crests on their heads, which they can hold up or down at will (top photos and below left). In flight, their head, bill, body and tail are held in a straight horizontal line. Mergansers prey on fish, fish eggs and other aquatic animals. The hooded merganser (Lod- phodytes cucullatus) - top right -lives among reeds in Pennsylvania’s swampy, woodland habi- tats using a tree cavity near a pond, lake, river or stream. They will also use a man-made nesting box placed in the proper habitat. The common merganser (Mergus merganser) - top left) needs a wilder, less inhabited site in order to nest. They too are cavity-nesters, but will also nest in a rock pile or even a hole in a stream bank (like a kingfisher). Red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator) females build her nests in thick vegetation on the ground - though she nests in Canada and Alaska, not in Pennsylvania. But they can be seen on our open rivers during mi- gration. Merganser ducklings from various nests are often grouped to- gether and looked after by a single female..
  • Waterfowl in Iowa, Overview

    Waterfowl in Iowa, Overview

    STATE OF IOWA 1977 WATERFOWL IN IOWA By JACK W MUSGROVE Director DIVISION OF MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES STATE HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT and MARY R MUSGROVE Illustrated by MAYNARD F REECE Printed for STATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION DES MOINES, IOWA Copyright 1943 Copyright 1947 Copyright 1953 Copyright 1961 Copyright 1977 Published by the STATE OF IOWA Des Moines Fifth Edition FOREWORD Since the origin of man the migratory flight of waterfowl has fired his imagination. Undoubtedly the hungry caveman, as he watched wave after wave of ducks and geese pass overhead, felt a thrill, and his dull brain questioned, “Whither and why?” The same age - old attraction each spring and fall turns thousands of faces skyward when flocks of Canada geese fly over. In historic times Iowa was the nesting ground of countless flocks of ducks, geese, and swans. Much of the marshland that was their home has been tiled and has disappeared under the corn planter. However, this state is still the summer home of many species, and restoration of various areas is annually increasing the number. Iowa is more important as a cafeteria for the ducks on their semiannual flights than as a nesting ground, and multitudes of them stop in this state to feed and grow fat on waste grain. The interest in waterfowl may be observed each spring during the blue and snow goose flight along the Missouri River, where thousands of spectators gather to watch the flight. There are many bird study clubs in the state with large memberships, as well as hundreds of unaffiliated ornithologists who spend much of their leisure time observing birds.
  • Appendix, French Names, Supplement

    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.