Hi all, I snapped this shot just over a week ago and I have been having some trouble with IDing all the ducks in the photo.
So using my bird guide I IDed one as an American Widgeon, it was my first time seeing one of those so it was pretty cool. I had assumed the others were mallards but the two darker ones in the top right looked different enough that I thought I would consult the guide. I thought they might be American Black Ducks but looks like american black ducks dont have a white patch on their bellies and these do. Yet they seem to have considerably darker plumage and bills than the mallards in my book. Then I started looking at the other species of ducks and there are a few species where the females look pretty much like female mallards and looking at my photo. It looks like they could be Gadwalls (a species I was unaware of) as well. Funny thing is, now the only duck whose ID im sure about is the one that I went to the guide book to ID in the first place. Could you guys take a look and tell me what you think? They're probably all mallards but I'd appreciate it.
Duck ID Help
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: Duck ID Help
Left to right...
Mottled Duck (? - where were you?) might be a female wigeon.
American Wigeon
female Gadwall
male Gadwall
male Gadwall
female Gadwall
Mottled Duck (? - where were you?) might be a female wigeon.
American Wigeon
female Gadwall
male Gadwall
male Gadwall
female Gadwall
Re: Duck ID Help
Thanks alot! These are in WI, so that first one must be a female widgeon. And as for the gadwalls, Huh well its not the most climactic way to see a new bird, since I didn't even realize It was a new species for me when I was seeing it. I'm guessing I must have seen them before but been guilty of assuming all brown mottled dabbling ducks must be female mallards, I obviously have alot to learn.chrish wrote:Left to right...
Mottled Duck (? - where were you?) might be a female wigeon.
American Wigeon
female Gadwall
male Gadwall
male Gadwall
female Gadwall
Thanks again for the help, its very much appreciated!
- Andy Avram
- Posts: 897
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 10:37 am
- Location: NE Ohio
Re: Duck ID Help
The first one is also a female Gadwall. Wigeon have a blue bill with black borders.
Gadwall are one of my favorites, but an easy way to tell the males is they look a bit like a female Mallard but have a black butt and rump. This feature is on my other male ducks, but they all look distinctive elsewhere. Wait until you see a male Gadwall swimming in good light, maybe not the showiest of ducks, but really a good looking bird.
Andy
Gadwall are one of my favorites, but an easy way to tell the males is they look a bit like a female Mallard but have a black butt and rump. This feature is on my other male ducks, but they all look distinctive elsewhere. Wait until you see a male Gadwall swimming in good light, maybe not the showiest of ducks, but really a good looking bird.
Andy
Re: Duck ID Help
Agree with Gadwall hen on the leftmost bird. Looks like you can even see the indicative white speculum that differentiates it from similar ducks in the genus.
Re: Duck ID Help
Thanks guys for the additional clarification, always appreciated!
I'll be sure to remember that!an easy way to tell the males is they look a bit like a female Mallard but have a black butt and rump.
I'll go back to this area sometime soonish and hopefully then I will get a chance to see what youre talking about.Wait until you see a male Gadwall swimming in good light, maybe not the showiest of ducks, but really a good looking bird.
Re: Duck ID Help
I have to agree. Male Gadwall are quite a striking duck, IMHO. The relatively uniform gray with a black butt is one of the first ducks I learned to ID in the field. I still find them very elegant looking. And when they fly, that big swath of white in the wings is really neat on such a monochromatic bird.Antonsrkn wrote:Thanks guys for the additional clarification, always appreciated!I'll be sure to remember that!an easy way to tell the males is they look a bit like a female Mallard but have a black butt and rump.
I'll go back to this area sometime soonish and hopefully then I will get a chance to see what youre talking about.Wait until you see a male Gadwall swimming in good light, maybe not the showiest of ducks, but really a good looking bird.