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)
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)
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)
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)
ABOUT SIZE OF MALLARD ADULT WARTY PROTUBERANCES ON BILL. NO BLACK “GRINNING” PATCH PINKISH BILL IMMATURE
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
(Anser albifrons)
ADULT BARRED BELLY IMMATURE YELLOWISH BILL PALE BREAST WHITE PATCH BROWNISH FOREPARTS YELLOWISH LEGS
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
BLACK RUMP WHITE BELLY WHITE SPECULUM WHITE BELLY BOTH SEXES HAVE YELLOW FEET ♂ BILL BLUISH BLACK ♀ BILL DULL ORANGE VARYING SPOTTING
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)
GREEN SPECULUM WHITE BELLY ♂ BROWN HEAD GREEN PATCH WHITE MARK ♀
BLUE-WINGED TEAL
(Anas discors)
CHALKY-BLUE PATCH GREEN SPECULUM ♂ MALE HAS DARK BELLY WHITE CRESCENT ♀ FEMALE HAS LIGHT BELLY
CINNAMON TEAL
(Anas cyanoptera)
CHALKY-BLUE PATCH GREEN SPECULUM ♂ UNIFORM CINNAMON BODY COLOR ♀ FEMALE HAS LIGHT BELLY
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)
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)
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)
WHITE MARKS ♂ STOCKY, DARK, SMALL BILL ♀ FEMALE HAS SMALLER BILL PLAIN DARK BODY
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)
GRAY BACK GRAY WING STRIPE ♂ CHESTNUT HEAD HIGH ABRUPT FOREHEAD BLUE BILL, BLACK TIP BLACK BREAST ♀ LIGHT PATCH
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)
WHITE BACK GRAY WING STRIPE ♂ CHESTNUT HEAD LONG SLOPING PROFILE, BLACK BILL BLACK BREAST ♀ GRAY BACK BROWN BREAST
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
LONG NECK ADULT WHITE LINE IMMATURE ADULT LONG LEGS
BLACK-BELLIED TREE DUCK
(Dendrocygna autumnalis autumnalis)
WHITE UPPER WING ADULT LONG NECK IMMATURE WHITE WING PATCH
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)
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)
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)
ADULT IMMATURE PALE BREAST YELLOW-ORANGE THROAT POUCH BLACK BODY
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)
WINTER PLUMAGE DARK BACK THIN BILL RED EYE WHITE CHEEKS, THROAT AND BELLY HEAD, SUMMER PLUMAGE LOBED TOES
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)
WHITE UNDERPARTS LONG SLENDER NECK
AMERICAN COOT
(Fulica americana)
WHITE SCALLOPED FLAPS WHITE PATCH SLATE GRAY BODY WHITE BILL
KING RAIL
(Rallus elegans)
COMMONLY INHABITS FRESH WATER MARSHES GENERALLY HAS A RUSTY COLORATION DARK BARRING SEXES ARE SIMILAR
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)
IMMATURE BLACKISH BODY ADULT REDDISH BODY GRAY CHEEKS LONG BILL WHITE SEXES ARE SIMILAR
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)
LONG BILL STRIPED BACK AND HEAD ORANGE TAIL HAS A CHARACTERISTIC ZIG-ZAG FLIGHT POINTED WING SEXES ARE SIMILAR
AMERICAN WOODCOCK
(Philohela minor)
BARRED HEAD LONG BILL SHORT TAIL CHUNKY BODY LARGE EYE APPEARS NECKLESS BLUNT WING