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Male Mandarin duck
Scientific name: Aix galericulata
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Class: Aves
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The average length for the Mandarin Duck is between 43-51cm, wings folded 22.1-22.6cm. They have a tail length of 10.2-10.4cm and an average bill length of 27.9mm. In full plumage, the male Mandarin is the most beautiful of all ducks. The males have an iridescent crown extending to a long crest and chestnut cheeks. The breast is maroon with black and white vertical stripes; the abdomen and underside are white with gold and black flanks. The back and tail are olive brown, the upper tail coverts are blue/green, and the scapulars are iridescent blue. The outer tertials are orange and gold on the inner web and form a sail shape and the upper wing surface is mostly olive brown. This sail shape feature along with the white-eye stripe that extends from the bill and tapers toward the back of the head distinguishes the male from all others. Their bill is red and they have whitish legs with yellow feet.
The females, however, are less colorful. Their color vary from gray and white, to brown and greenish brown. The crown and sides of the head and neck are gray with a white-eye ring and streak that tapers off towards the neck. The throat and fore neck are white and the breast and sides of body are buff and gray. The back is gray brown and there are a series of white spots on the under parts. The wings are similar to the males but without the sail feathers. The bill is grayish black and the legs and feet are reddish yellow. The female bears a strong resemblance to the female Wood Duck but can be distinguished by the narrow eye stripe; the Wood Ducks is shorter and more blunt. Differences between the sexes are obvious, the males have a crested head and chestnut/orange wing and sail feathers that are raised vertically above their back. The females are duller in color and lack the crested head. The juveniles resemble the females but the males have a pinkish bill. During molting periods when the Mandarin sheds its feathers, the males resemble females but can be distinguished by the red bill.
DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:
The Mandarin Duck originated in China but can be found almost anywhere there is a suitable habitat. They are believed to be semi-migratory and semi-colonial. They are scattered throughout Southeast Russia, Northeast China, Japan, Southern England and Siberia. Mandarins were introduced to the west for breeding purposes by aviculturalists and can be found in zoos around the world. The fall migration ranges from China, Japan, Manchuria, North Korea, to the central and southern islands east of the Sea of Japan. Mandarins prefer to live in woodlands next to water that has many trees with holes for nesting. They favor mountain areas with streams, marshland and forests.
BEHAVIOR:
The calls of the Mandarin sound similar to ge,ge, wooing and bifu. The Mandarin Duck hunts by head-dipping in shallow waters. In the wild, Mandarins will forage for their food. Feeding occurs during both day and night, but during the daytime they spend much of their time in shady areas.
Males display an aggressive courtship flight for females. They are also one of the few who guard hens and ducklings until the ducklings are able to fly. Mandarins are highly social but males have been observed spontaneously fighting with one another. The male produces a nasal; whistling note during display, whereas the female makes a high pitched courtship call that sounds like "keet". The male also makes a high-pitched staccato bark, a barely audible whistle and heard least often, is the grunting sound, similar to that of a wild pig.
Courtship begins in the fall and involves very elaborate, complex behavior such as shaking movements, display drinking and preening. Females take the initiative in choosing their mates by inciting behavior toward the preferred male. She will initiate copulatory behavior by performing head pumping movements then extending prone on the water. The male performs bill dipping movements before mounting and then swims away from the female while orienting the back of his head in her direction.
If the same partners are still alive through two breeding seasons, they typically re-form old bonds rather than establish new ones. Because of their devotion to one another, they are regarded in China and Japan as a symbol of love, happiness and marital fidelity. In early summer their molting period begins and ends around late September. During the molting period they typically seek protection of forested lands or areas well hidden by heavy branches. The females molting period is determined by her condition at the time. If she is nesting the molt is delayed. Fortunately the males loss of color acts as a camouflage and protects them from predators.
DIET:
The Mandarins diet consists of seeds, acorns, grain, aquatic plants, insects, land snails and fish. The diet is seasonal, in the fall acorns and grains are favored while in the spring insects, snails, fish and vegetation are preferred. During the summer months dew worms, grasshoppers, small fish, frogs, mollusks and small snakes are preferred.
Female Mandarin duck
REPRODUCTION and GROWTH:
Nesting is done in tree holes typically situated over water. The nest hole is lined with down with an average clutch size of 8-10 eggs. The eggs are 56mm X 42mm with color variations of glossy buff to ivory. The mother sheds her own feathers to cover her eggs so she can feed or rest. She is very protective of both her ducklings and her eggs. The mother will decoy predators away from the nest. The male plays no part in the incubation process, which lasts about thirty days.
When the ducklings hatch they instinctively follow their mother and tumble to the ground from the nest-hole in their tree. Amazingly, the chicks land unhurt. Newly hatched ducklings are difficult to observe because the females are very protective of her brood. When the ducklings are feeding the mother stands guard a short distance away. If she senses danger she will lead the ducklings to shelter; diving underwater and swimming until they reach shelter in the long grass of the riverbank or lake. If a predator is present, the mother will feign injury in an effort to distract the predator and lead it away from her brood. The ducklings are usually able to fly in time for fall migration. Despite the protectiveness of their parents, half or more of the ducklings do not survive the first two weeks of life.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
The Mandarin Duck is not listed in CITES as an endangered species, but can be considered as near threatened or of special concern. They are listed as Class II key state protection animals of China. Worldwide population status is unknown. The current Asian population may be under 20,000. In various parts of southern England small, well-established feral populations exist, thriving in Virginia Water on the Berkshire/Surrey border. In Russia, feral numbers are unknown, but there are one hundred fifty reserves throughout the country that provide homes for Mandarin Ducks, as well as other endangered or threatened species in the hopes of the population increasing. Feral populations also exist in Scotland and parts of northern Europe.
The decline of the Mandarin Duck can be blamed mostly on humans; mainly loggers, hunters and poachers. The destruction of their habitats by loggers and clearing of the forests has had a severe impact on the wild populations. Many hunters are unable to recognize them in flight and mistake them for other legally hunted ducks and most likely, due to the males extreme beauty, poachers prize them. Because of their bad taste, these ducks are not hunted by humans for food.
The predators that threaten the Mandarin vary in their geological ranges. Known predators include mink, raccoon dog, otters, polecats, eagle owls and grass snakes
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Anas acuta | [UK] Northern Pintail | [FR] Canard pilet | [DE] Spießente | [ES] Ánade Rabudo | [IT] Codone comune | [NL] Pijlstaart
spanwidth min.: 79 cm
spanwidth max.: 87 cm
size min.: 51 cm
size max.: 62 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 22 days
incubation max.: 24 days
fledging min.: 40 days
fledging max.: 45 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 7
eggs max.: 10
Physical characteristics
Slightly bigger than a mallard, these long-necked and small-headed ducks fly with a curved back pointed wings and a tapering tail, making this the best way to distinguish them from other ducks. The drake Pintail is perhaps the most handsome of our ducks, the very epitome of grace and elegance. His most distinctive identification feature is the wavy white stripe extending up the side of his otherwise brown neck, but birds with their necks hidden can still be told by their white chests, grey bodies, black and yellow undertails and of course, the long spiky tails. The female Pintail lacks the colourful plumage and the tail spike but are still unmistakably elegant, with slender, almost swan-like necks, small plain heads and long slim grey bills. In flight the Pintail looks distinctively slender thanks mainly to their long necks and long pointed tails. In both male and female, it is the white trailing edge to the speculum which is most conspicuous.
Northern Pintails are wary, especially during their flightless stage in late summer, when they are highly secretive. They will forage on land, but find most of their food by dabbling in shallow, muddy water.
Habitat
Small lakes, rivers and shallow freshwater marshes, with dense vegetaion in open country. In winter on coastal lagoons of brackish waters.
Other details
Anas acuta is a widespread breeder in much of northern and parts of central Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>320,000 pairs), but underwent a large decline between 1970-1990. Although it was stable or increased across much of its European range during 1990-2000, the stronghold population in Russia continued to decline, and the species underwent a moderate decline (>10%) overall.
This duck is breeding in northern Eurasia and North America. For practical reasons its populations of the European Union can be subdivided in two distinct sub-populations, separated by their wintering quarters. The first, totalling about 60000 individuals, is wintering in the Atlantic regions from Denmark to the British Isles and Aquitaine. The second population is estimated at 1200000 individuals. It winters around the Mediterranean and in West Africa. These two populations are not strictly separated and many birds are shifting from one to the other. Nevertheless this species is declining in western Europe, fluctuating in Central Europe and the Mediterranean.
Widespread and common throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, the Northern Pintail is probably one of the most numerous species of duck worldwide. Numbers in North America vary a great deal from year to year, although some surveys have recorded significant, long-term declines since the 1960s. Predators and farming operations destroy many thousands of Northern Pintail nests each year. Farming has also affected nesting habitat. Pintails appear to be responding to new conservation practices, however, including habitat restoration and tighter restrictions on hunting, and numbers seem to be increasing. If these practices are maintained, Northern Pintails should be able to maintain a healthy population in North America.
Feeding
Aquatic plants and crop vegetative, leaves, stems, roots and seeds. Many terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, amphibians and some small fish in spring and summer. Feeds by dabbling, upending and head-dipping in shallow water. Sometimes grazes on dry land.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 6,100,000-7,500,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Pairing begins on the wintering grounds and continues through spring migration. Northern Pintails are among the earliest nesters, and arrive on the breeding grounds as soon as they are free of ice (egg laying from november-march) in single pairs or loose groups. The nest is located on dry ground in short vegetation. It is usually near water, but may be up to half a mile away from the nearest body of water. Pintail nests are often more exposed than other ducks' nests. The nest is a shallow depression, built by the female and made of grass, twigs, or leaves, lined with down. Incubation of the 6 to 10 eggs lasts from 21 to 25 days and is done by the female alone. The pair bond dissolves shortly after the female begins incubation, when the males gather in flocks to molt. Within a few hours of hatching, the young follow the female from the nest site. They can feed themselves, but the female continues to tend them until they fledge at 38 to 52 days. In the far north where continuous daylight allows for round-the-clock feeding, the young develop faster. Sexual maturity is reached after one year.
Migration
Highly migratory. Breeders from Iceland winter mainly Britain and Ireland. Breeding populations of north Russia east to north-west Siberia, Fenno-Scandia, and Baltic migrate south-west to winter in the Netherlands and British Isles, movement from former to latter in hard weather. Vast population breeding from Belarus and Russia east to West Siberia winter in Mediterranean and Black Sea areas, and probably West Africa. Major movements away from moult areas and breeding grounds mid-August to early September. Early passage through Europe in August, peak movements mid-September to November, males preceding females due to earlier moult. Further movements under weather influence at any time during winter. Departures from West Africa begin February, from west Europe late February or March; reach tundras late May. Major flyways tend to follow coasts, normally relatively small numbers inland central Europe.
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Somateria mollissima | [UK] Eider | [FR] Eider à duvet | [DE] Eiderente | [ES] Eider | [IT] Edredone | [NL] Eider | [IRL] Éadar
spanwidth min.: 95 cm
spanwidth max.: 105 cm
size min.: 60 cm
size max.: 70 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 25 days
incubation max.: 28 days
fledging min.: 65 days
fledging max.: 75 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 4
eggs max.: 7
Status: Resident along rocky coasts in the north and north-west of Ireland.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland due to the majority of Eiders wintering at less than ten sites.The European population is regarded as Secure.
Identification: Large and heavy-built, with short neck, large head, long wedge-shaped bill. Birds seen in irregular - loose clusters. Males largely white with black belly, sides and stern. Head white with black crown, and pale green on sides of the nape.
Similar Species: Adult male is unmistakable. Females and immature resemble other duck species.
Call: Male with cooing display-call, and a far carrying 'a-ooh-e'.
Diet: They generally feed by diving in waters up to 20 m depth, feeding predominantly on mussels, other molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms.
Breeding: Eider nest colonially on offshore islets, along low-lying coast, usually where the threat of mammalian predation is minimal. Eider seldom occur far from the sea throughout the year. They breed around the coast of Scotland and northern England and along the north and northwest coasts of Ireland. Up to 100 pairs have been estimated in Ireland.
Wintering: Occurs on shallow, inshore coastal waters, near estuary mouths mostly along the northwest and northeast coastlines.
Where to See: Belfast Lough in County Down and Outer Ards in County Down regularly supports almost 1,000 & 500 birds respectively. Lough Foyle in County Derry, Strangford Lough in County Down, Larne Lough in County Antrim and the Streedagh Estuary in County Sligo are other well-used wintering sites.
Physical characteristics
The Common Eider Somateria mollissima is the largest duck in the northern hemisphere. It weighs an average of 1 800 g, but its weight can vary from 850 to 3 025 g depending on race, sex, and time of year. There are four Common Eider races in North America; subtle differences in body size and bill structure distinguish each race from the other.
The plumage of the Common Eider varies considerably. It passes through several stages while the bird is growing to maturity, and after the bird reaches adulthood at about three years old, the plumage alternates between two colours each year as a result of moulting, or the replacement of old feathers with new. In addition, the male's plumage differs from the female's.
Between the ages of three weeks and three years, male Common Eiders moult their feathers eight times, changing their colour from a juvenile blackish brown to an adult olive-brown and white in winter and a striking black and white, with a small area of light emerald green on the back and sides of the head, during the breeding season. Changes in female plumage are less dramatic: from a juvenile blackish brown, the duck becomes rusty-to-tan. The female's summer colours provide good camouflage in the vegetation and rocks of the offshore islands on which she breeds.
Common Eiders can live 20 years, one of the longest lifespans among sea ducks. However, the expected lifespan for eider populations which are heavily harvested may be much shorter.
Habitat
Of all sea ducks, the Common Eider is the most closely tied to marine habitat. It lives in arctic and subarctic coastal marine areas, where it frequents coastal headlands, offshore islands, skerries, and shoals. The Common Eider rarely leaves the water in the winter, and some races remain as far north as there is open water. The seven races of Common Eiders have different breeding ranges. In North America the southern race Somateria mollissima dresseri breeds from Maine to Hamilton Inlet on the Labrador coast; the northern race Somateria mollissima borealis breeds from northern Labrador to Ellesmere Island in the eastern Canadian Arctic; the Hudson Bay race Somateria mollissima sedentaria remains all year within Hudson Bay; and the Pacific race Somateria mollissima v-nigra breeds from Coronation Gulf in the MacKenzie District of the Northwest Territories to the south side of the Alaskan peninsula. Three subspecies are found outside North America: one in northwest Europe, one in Iceland and a third in the Faeroe Islands north of Great Britain.
The Common Eider belongs to the sea duck tribe (Mergini), which contains closely related ducks, all of which use marine habitats to some degree. The King Eider Somateria spectabilis, Spectacled Eider Somateria fischeri, and Common Eider all belong to the same genus, and hybridization is known to occur between Common and King Eiders. Eider ducks are gregarious, travelling and feeding in flocks numbering from tens to thousands.
Other details
This mainly marine species is breeding on arctic islands, in the north-west and extreme east of Eurasia and in North America. Some populations are sedentary. Others are migratory, wintering mainly in Denmark, northern Germany and the Netherlands, but reaching the Atlantic coasts of France. A few birds are seen in Central Europe and the western Mediterranean. The population of north-western Europe is totalling 1.7 to 2.3 millions of individuals (Scott & Rose). A few birds also reach Greece. They probably belong to a small population inhabiting the Ukrainian shores of the Black Sea
Feeding
Eiders feed during the day by diving to the bottom in waters from 3 to 20 m deep to take mussels, clams, scallops, sea urchins, starfish, and crabs, which are swallowed whole and crushed in the large gizzard.
In winter, when daylight is short, more than half the daytime hours are spent in feeding. The ducks feed in shoal waters off headlands and offshore islands and skerries. Flocks move together at the same rate, the ducks at the front of a flock diving first and the rest following sequentially. After 15 to 30 minutes of intensive feeding, flocks move offshore to rest, preen, and digest the contents of the gullet. The feeding sequence is then repeated.
During spring migration, and when the eider ducks arrive near their breeding places, much time is spent feeding, and the birds accumulate fat. These stores are particularly important for the breeding females, or hens, which rely on the reserves through the incubation period. Unlike many ducks, the hen does not feed once she starts sitting on her eggs. The young apparently eat insects during their first week of life.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 100,000-1,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 2,500,000-3,600,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Eiders return to the breeding islands along the northern coasts as soon as shore-fast ice or pack ice starts to dissipate. Many eider ducks are paired when they arrive on the breeding grounds, although some pairing occurs there. Some races remain paired for several years, others do not. Courtship is very intense in spring, with males making displays for the females which include the upward tossing of the head, cooing, neck-stretching and wing-flapping. Courtship continues after pairing in order to maintain pair bonds.
Some female eiders may breed in their second year of life, but males do not breed until they are three years old. Many females will not breed in some years. Common Eiders breed mainly on small offshore marine islands or isolated spits and points that are free of mammalian predators. Within a couple of weeks of arriving at the breeding grounds, the birds make prospecting flights and visits to choose a suitable nesting place. Often females will use the same nesting site for a number of years, while others choose new nest sites each year. They nest in early summer in dense colonies of tens to 10 000 or more; nesting starts progressively later as one proceeds farther north. There is one brood per season.
Only the female prepares the nest. In some races, the male stays with the female for a while; in others, he does not. When he remains, the male defends the female from other eiders and from gulls and ensures that she does not mate with other males.
The female begins laying the eggs a couple of days after the nest is ready. There are usually four or five eggs per nest, and generally, one egg is laid per day. When the second or third egg has been laid, the female lines her nest with down plucked from her body. While laying the egges, some females will leave the nesting colony, possibly to feed before they return to the nest to incubate, or sit on the eggs, continuously. Once incubation begins, the female only leaves the nest for a little as five minutes every two or three days to drink, but not to eat. During early egg-laying, if the male is still in the vicinity, he accompanies the female on her breaks. By mid-incubation, most males have left the colony on their moult migrations. Incubation lasts from 21 to 24 days, and about 50 to 70 percent of the eggs hatch successfully.
The downy newborns leave the nest within 24 hours, and they feed themselves. Within one hour of entering the water, they can dive competently. Young first fly when they are 60 days old. Generally, few survive to fly; many are lost to predators, exposure, or starvation in their first week of life. In good years, one duckling per adult pair may survive for the fall flight. On the other hand, adults are often long--lived, and estimated annual survival rates vary from 80 to 95 percent. This low reproductive success, which is compensated by high adult survival, is very characteristic of eiders and other sea ducks such as scoters and Long-tailed Ducks. Most other ducks breed more successfully but lose 40 to 50 percent of adults each year.
The mother's relationship with her ducklings ends when she leaves for the moult migration in the autumn. In the fall migration, groups of young may travel together and arrive before the adults on the winter range.
Migration
Migratory, partially migratory, and dispersive. In north-west Europe, major moult migration considerably affects picture of normal migration. Breeders and immatures leave nesting grounds for annual moult in German Waddenzee area, leaving ducklings in care of small number of adults which moult locally. First move June, probably mostly immatures, adults following July; some movement as late as September, especially from east. Waddenzee moulting place for virtually all Shelduck in north-west Europe, except for several thousand which moult in Britain, notably in Bridgwater Bay, south-west England. When moult completed, autumn migration begins in rather leisurely fashion. For breeders of Netherlands, Britain, and Ireland, this entails return to breeding areas. Breeding populations from areas to east of moulting grounds winter around coasts of southern North Sea, west France, and to some extent Britain and Ireland; many thousands remain on moulting grounds. Those wintering outside their breeding areas begin return March. Breeding populations of south-east Europe mainly sedentary, flocking in winter, moving only if bad weather. Those breeding Volga area and Ural steppes migrate to Caspian, where join resident breeders. South of main wintering areas, small numbers occur fairly regularly Iberia, Mediterranean basin east to Nile valley and Middle East.
Canada Goose,
Order,- Anseriformes, Family,- Anatidae, Species,- Branta canadensis,
The Canada Goose was introduced into England from North America in the seventeenth century. Further introductions in Britain and Ireland as well as in Norway. Sweden and other European countries have resulted in the species becoming naturalised and expanding its range beyond that of the initial introductions, It is found on lakes, pools and ornamental waters especially where grassy banks offer good feeding. The nest-site is usually close to water, often at the base of a tree or on islands where present. The species is colonial, though solitary nests occur, The nest is a mound of grass, reeds and other plant material lined with down lncubation is by the female alone though the male stands guard.
The Canada Goose feeds mainly on plant matter including some aquatic plants. Most of the food is taken on land where shoots, roots, cereals, and seeds form the diet.
The British population is largely resident, though there is a strong moult-migration, particularly from Yorkshire to Invernesshire. Scandinavian breeders move to Germany and the Netherlands in winter, Some wild Canada Geese from North America in very small numbers in Ireland and west Scotland in winter.
Migration, - Main movements in mid September to November and return in late February to April,
Length, - Male - 99 cm, Female, - 94 cm,
Wing length, - Male, -49 cm, Female, -47 cm,
Weight, - Male, - 4900 g, Female, - 4400 g,
Wingspan,- 1.5 - 1.8 m
Lifesspan,- 20 - 25 years,
Status,- Localized,
Nombre Científico: Anas andium
Orden: Anseriformes
Familia: Anatidae
Lugar: Páramo de Sumapaz, Cundinamarca, Colombia
Wood/Carolina Duck on Quarry Lake, Phoenix Park, Dublin
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Aix sponsa | [UK] Wood Duck | [FR] Canard branchu | [DE] Brautente | [ES] Pato de la Florida | [IT] Anatra sposa | [NL] Carolinaeend
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 70 cm
spanwidth max.: 73 cm
size min.: 47 cm
size max.: 54 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 31 days
incubation max.: 35 days
fledging min.: 56 days
fledging max.: 70 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 9
eggs max.: 14
Physical characteristics
Wood Ducks are intermediate in size, between the Mallard and Blue-winged Teal; on average, males weigh 680 g and females weigh 460 g. From a distance, the male Wood Duck on the water appears as a dark-bodied, dark-breasted, light-flanked duck with a striped crested head and a light-coloured throat. At close range, its iridescent plumage, red eyes, and black, red, and white bill are conspicuous. A white eye-ring, light-coloured throat, and fine crest distinguish the female from both the male Wood Duck and females of other species. Both sexes usually show a downward pointing crest at the back of the head, and their long broad square tails are distinctive features in flight.
The wings of Wood Ducks are highly characteristic. The primary wing feathers, which are the 10 outermost flight feathers attached to the wing beyond the wrist, are dark in colour. The outer vanes of these feathers look as if they have been sprayed with aluminum paint. The Wood Duck is the only North American duck so marked.
In most cases it is possible to distinguish immature from mature ducks and to tell males from females by their wings alone. In the Wood Duck, as in other ducks, the feathers of that year's young are finer, more pointed and worn, and less colourful than those of adults. Females show a few small feathers on the upper surface of the wing that are purplish and have the same lustre as oil on water. These feathers are absent in males. The white tips on the feathers along the trailing edge of the wing are usually teardrop-shaped in the female, but either straight or V-shaped in the male. By studying the wings of ducks taken by hunters, biologists can determine the ratio of young to adult ducks in the population and thereby measure waterfowl production.
The Wood Duck is a distinctively North American species. Its only close relative is the Mandarin Duck of eastern Asia. Evidently the Wood Duck originated in North America, as fossil remains have been found only in widely scattered locations in the eastern part of the continent.
Habitat
Like other perching ducks, Wood Ducks nest in trees. Preferred nesting sites are holes in hollow trunks or large branches that result from broken limbs, fire scars, lightning and logging damage. They also use cavities created by large woodpeckers such as the Pileated Woodpecker. Nests are situated from 1 to 15 m above ground, in trees more than 40 cm in diameter. They are usually found close to water, although females sometimes select trees some distance from water.
Other details
In Canada, the Wood Duck nests in scattered locations in the southern parts of all provinces; however, there is only one breeding record for Newfoundland and Labrador. The most extensive breeding ranges are in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and British Columbia. This duck occurs over a much wider area in late summer and early autumn, as a result of post-breeding dispersal. Although most Wood Ducks migrate to the United States, a few may spend the winter in extreme southern Ontario and southeastern British Columbia.
The Wood Duck is much more widely distributed in the United States, where it nests in areas east of the Mississippi River, along the lower Missouri River into South Dakota, in eastern Texas, along the Pacific coast, and in a few other places. It winters mainly along the Atlantic coast from New York south, along the Gulf coast into central Texas, to the lower Mississippi River valley and western California. A few winter in Mexico south to Distrito Federal. In Europe all sightings are of escaped birds.
Feeding
The Wood Duck is mainly a herbivore, or vegetarian, with plant foods making up about 90 percent of its diet. Foods vary according to their local availability, but duckweeds, cypress seeds, sedges, grasses, pondweeds, and acorns are among the more important foods throughout North America. In recent years corn has assumed a greater importance as small groups of Wood Ducks engage in field feeding behaviour similar to that of dabbling ducks, such as Mallards.
Ducklings require a high protein diet for rapid growth. Invertebrates such as dragonflies, bugs, beetles, and spiders are important foods during the first few weeks of life, so high populations of these small creatures are essential in habitats where the young will hatch and develop.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 6,200,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 3,500,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
The female Wood Duck breeds when one year old. She lines the nest with down, or fine feathers, taken from her breast, and lays eight to 15 dull-white to cream-coloured eggs. She incubates, or keeps the eggs warm, for 28 to 30 days until they hatch. During unusually cold weather, or if the female is away from the nest for an abnormally long time, incubation may require a few extra days.
Upon hatching, usually in June in eastern Canada, the young use their sharp claws to climb up the inside of the nesting cavity to its entrance, then jump and flutter to the ground, generally landing unharmed. The female guides them to the nearest water, where they will spend the next eight to nine weeks hunting for food together.
Shortly after the female begins incubation the male loses interest in family affairs and spends more time away from the nest. He joins other males, which eventually form large groups. As mid-summer approaches, the males begin the move to remote, undisturbed, sheltered places to moult, or shed old feathers. To reach these areas, they may travel great distances; many thousands migrate to southeastern Canada from breeding grounds in the northern states. On arrival the moult begins, and by August the brilliant spring feathers of the male have been replaced by a plumage similar to that of the female. Then, all at once, the flight feathers are moulted, leaving the male flightless for approximately four weeks while new feathers grow in.
Soon after the ducklings have fledged, or taken their first flight, usually by mid-August in eastern Canada, the females leave their broods, move a short distance, and undergo their moult. Like the males, they too seek out remote, undisturbed swamps and marshes and become flightless for a short period.
In late summer and early autumn, the young with their newly acquired powers of flight and the adults with their recently replaced flight feathers move in a leisurely way about the northern parts of their range. Their principal concern is to store up energy, in the form of fat, in preparation for the soon-to-come fall migration.
Migration
Wood Ducks migrate north to their Canadian breeding grounds, arriving there by April. Pair formation may occur on the wintering grounds before or during spring migration, or on the breeding grounds if one of the pair is lost. Mated pairs seek out secluded swamps or beaver ponds that provide water, nesting sites, brooding habitat, and feeding areas. Females often return to the same general area in which they were hatched.
By the first severe frost, usually in late September or early October in eastern Canada, Wood Ducks begin to head for the southeastern United States. Southern populations of Wood Ducks, particularly females, are less migratory. Populations in the interior of British Columbia migrate to the west coast, whereas Wood Ducks that live on the coast do not migrate at all. Has occurred Bermuda (regular), Azores and Alaska. Many sightings from Europe, presumed escapes.
Speckled Teal
Marreca-pardinha
Salinas, Canelones, Uruguay
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Subfamily:Anatinae
Genus:Anas
Species:A. flavirostris
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Cygnus
Species:C. cygnus
Binomial name
Cygnus cygnus
Belmullet Co.Mayo 24-12-2020
Cygnus cygnus
Eala Ghlórach
Status: Winter visitor to wetlands throughout Ireland from October to April.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed due to Ireland hosting more than 20% of the European wintering population. Also due to the majority of Whooper Swans wintering at ten or less sites, as well as its very small breeding population. BirdLife International has assessed the European population as Secure.
Identification: Similar to Bewick's Swan, but larger, with longer neck. Yellow and black bill, with the yellow projecting below the nostril.
Similar Species: Mute and Bewick's Swans.
Call: Vocal bugling or honking.
Diet: Aquatic vegetation, but they are increasingly being recorded grazing on grass in pasture and spilt grain, as well as potatoes from cultivated land.
Breeding: Open shallow water, by coastal inlets, estuaries and rivers. The population occurring in Ireland breeds in Iceland.
Wintering: Most on lowland open farmland around inland wetlands, regularly seen while feeding on grasslands and stubble.
Where to See: Relatively widespread, especially north and west of a line between Limerick and Dublin. Lough Swilly & River Foyle (Co. Donegal) and Lough Foyle on the Donegal/Derry boundary, Lough Gara (Co. Sligo) and the Lough Oughter wetland complex all support greatest numbers (400-2,000 birds).
Skerries Co.Dublin 15-11-2020
[order] ANSERIFORMES | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Branta bernicla | [UK] Brant Goose | [FR] Bernache cravant | [DE] Ringelgans | [ES] Barnacla de Cara Negra | [NL] Rotgans |
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 105 cm
spanwidth max.: 117 cm
size min.: 55 cm
size max.: 62 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 24 days
incubation max.: 26 days
fledging min.: 36 days
fledging max.: 26 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 6
eggs max.: 10
Light-bellied Brent Goose
Branta bernicla hrota
Cadhan
This population winters almost entirely in Ireland, with small numbers in parts of Britain and France.
Status: Winter migrant from high-Arctic Canada. Most occur in Ireland between October and April.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed as the majority winter at less than ten sites. The Irish population is also internationally significant, another amber listing criterion. The European population has been evaluated as Vulnerable as several important populations declined.
Identification: Small dark goose, with a black head, neck and breast, and dark-brown upperparts and pale underparts. Almost whitish flanks, and small white crescent on the upperparts of the neck visible at close range.
Similar Species: Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Black Brant, Barnacle Goose
Call: Gutteral 'rhut, rhut'
Diet: During the winter, it feeds mostly on eel-grass, which grows on muddy estuaries, and also on grasslands, usually when coastal supplies have been depleted at estuarine sites.
Breeding: Nests in small, loose colonies by coastal tundra, with pools and small inlets.
Wintering: Mostly found on coastal estuaries during the autumn and early winter, and also on grasslands from mid-winter, until departure for the breeding grounds begins in late April.
Where to See: Highest numbers (c. 30,000) are seen at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland in October, where most congregate on arrival. Thereafter, they move to other estuarine sites. Lough Foyle in County Derry, Dublin Bay in County Dublin, Tralee Bay, Lough Gill & Akeragh Lough in County Kerry, Rogerstown Estuary in County Dublin, Wexford Harbour & Slobs in County Wexford are other well-used sites (1,000-3,500 birds).
Physical characteristics
The Brant is similar in appearance to the Canada Goose, but smaller and darker. The adult has a gray belly and breast, white rump, and black neck and head with a thin white necklace and no chin-strap.
Fast fliers with swept-back wings, Brant are usually found in a flock. They forage while wading, dabbling in shallow water, or while walking on mudflats or the shore. They display strong site-fidelity to both their wintering and nesting areas.
Habitat
Brant are almost exclusively coastal in their range and are found in shallow bays and saltwater marshes. They nest in the wet, coastal tundra of the high Arctic. Their winter habitat is closely tied to the occurrence of sea grasses and marine algae.
Other details
Branta bernicla is a rare breeder in the European Arctic, but winters mainly in coastal areas of western Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global wintering range. Its European wintering population is large (>240,000 individuals), and increased between 1970-1990. Although a few populations increased or were broadly stable during 1990-2000, key wintering populations (of the subspecies B. b. bernicla) in the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands declined, and the species underwent a large decline (>30%) overall.
This goose is breeding on the arctic coasts of Eurasia and North America, mainly on small islets protected from polar foxes (Alopex lagopus). It winters along the temperate Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The birds visiting the European Union belong to three different populations (Scott & Rose). The first population, estimated at 20000 individuals, comprises the white-bellied birds of the race hrota, breeding in Greenland and northern Canada and wintering in Ireland. The second population, estimated at 5000 individuals, comprises the birds of the race hrota breeding on Svalbard and wintering in Denmark and north-eastern England. The third population, estimated at 300000 individuals, comprises the dark-bellied birds of the nominate race, breeding along the Russian coasts and wintering in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, south-western England and France. All three populations have undergone important fluctuations. The nominate race has experienced a 90% decline during the 1930s following a disease of its foodplant, Zostera marina. It has started to recover since the 1950s, and the increase is still in progress. The populations of Canada and Greenland have increased since the 1960s and seem currently to be stable. The population of Svalbard dropped from about 40000-50000 to a mere 2000 at the end of the 1960s, not only because of the disease of Zostera but also because of non sustainable hunting. Since the 1970s it has recovered
Feeding
Historically, Brant fed almost exclusively on eelgrass, which is still strongly preferred when available. Now they also forage on grasslands and have been able to diversify their diet in the absence of eelgrass, although their range is still closely tied to eelgrass. Brant also eat some aquatic invertebrates.
Conservation
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Long-term pair bonds usually form on the wintering grounds. Nesting occurs in loose colonies, on small islands in tundra ponds. The breeding range of the Brant is typically within five miles of the coast. The nest is a shallow bowl of grass and other vegetation, lined with down. The female incubates 3 to 5 eggs for 22 to 24 days. The young leave the nest within a day of hatching, and both parents continue to tend them and lead them to sources of food. During the long days of the high-Arctic summer, the young feed at all hours, and grow quickly. They fledge at 40 to 50 days, but stay with the parents through the first migration.
Migration
Single wholly migratory population. Depart Russian tundras mid-August to 1st week September. Main route west along arctic coasts to White Sea, then overland to Gulfs of Finland and Bothnia. Passage through Baltic mid-September to early October; first arrivals Denmark late September but bulk October. Some stay Denmark and western Germany through November before moving on in colder weather; others go straight to winter quarters in Netherlands, south-east England, and west France, where peak numbers December-February. Return passage begins early March; most leave England and France by mid-April. Spring gatherings in Netherlands, Denmark and western Germany until main departures in mid-May; only stragglers after mid-June.
Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)
(Pato Mandarín (es),
Anatra mandarina (it),
Mandarinente (al),
Mandarijneend (nl),
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Aix
Species: A. galericulata
Binomial name : Aix galericulata
Kowloon Park
Hong-Kong
Located in the central zone of Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, Kowloon Park is one of the largest parks in Kowloon, covering an area of about 13.5 hectares (about 33 acres). It is said to be the 'green lung' at the centre of city.
The park was opened by the then Governor, Sir David Trench on June 24th. In 1989, it was rebuilt, funded by the former Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club at a cost of about HK$300 million.
The park was built in a classical Chinese style, and is visited by many tourists. Flowers and trees are plenty in the park. There is an attractive variety of rarely-seen beautiful birds and flowers.
The park boasts an abundance of scenic spots and enough establishments for tourists to enjoy themselves. The scenic spots mainly include the Maze Garden, Color Garden, Chinese Garden, Roof Gardens, Banyan Court and Bird Lake. And the establishments comprise a mini soccer pitch, the Fitness Trail, Children's Playground, Discovery Playground, Sculpture Walk & Sculpture Garden, a piazza, an aviary, a swimming pool and a sports center. The swimming pool is one of the best equipped in Hong Kong and can hold 1,500 people.
From 07:30 to 09:30 on Fridays, the park provides the activity of watching birds for tourists free of charge. The gathering point is at the arcade of the park. And from 14:30 to 16:30 on Sundays, there are free performances on the Sculpture Walk, including lion/dragon dance and different disciplines of martial arts. Additionally, from 13:00 to 19:00 on Sundays and public holidays, at the loggia of the park exit, there are many stalls selling Chinese traditional handworks, calligraphy and many other souvenirs.
Next to the park is the Park Lane Shopper's Boulevard which imitates the American style. The shops there mainly sell the clothes from the native or abroad, which are very popular with the young people. After shopping, you can go to the park and find a comfortable place for a rest.
______
Camera: Canon EOS 30D
Exposure: 0.05 sec (1/20)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 85 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
File Size: 2.4 MB
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Image Width: 3504
Image Height: 2336
Encoding Process: Baseline DCT, Huffman coding
Bits Per Sample: 8
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X-Resolution: 350 dpi
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Orientation: Horizontal (normal)
Software: Digital Photo Professional
Date and Time (Modified): 2009:04:07 10:37:59
YCbCr Positioning: Centered
Rating: 0
Custom Rendered: Normal
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual
Scene Capture Type: Standard
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Date and Time (Original): 2009:04:07 10:37:59
Date and Time (Digitized): 2009:04:07 10:37:59
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Focal Plane X-Resolution: 3959.322034 dpi
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Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type: D50
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Mute Swan (Knoppsvane / Cygnus olor) from Fosseparken (Kongsberg, Norway).
If your bird lens is only 300mm as my first DSLR was in 2011, the big swans are great subjects, filling the sensor with their sheer size. Being rather tame birds, they also allow you to get quite close now and then :-)
Canon 550D, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6
The photo is part of a Mute Swan set.
I also have a set with a whole sequence of a: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) landing on ice.
ORDEN: Anseriformes.
FAMILIA: Anatinae.
N. Comun: Cisne.
N. Cientifico:Cygnus melancoryphus .
N. Ingles: Black-necked swan.
Captura: Torres del Paine.
Habitat: De la IV a la XII Region. Chile
Mute Swan, Order Anseriformes, Family Anatidae, Species Cygnus olor,..
A large, familiar bird, strikingly white and obvious even at great range, Mute Swan is generally quite tame, even semi-domesticated in its behaviour and choice of habitat.
Territorial pairs are aggressive, even to people or their dogs, using impressive displays of arched wings and loud, hissing calls.
In some floodplains, small groups regularly feed on dry land, a habit that is more consistent with the two " wild swans ", Bewick's and Whooper,
Voice - Strangled trumpeting and hissing notes,
Nesting - Huge pile of vegetation at water's edge; up to 8 eggs; 1 brood; March - June.
Feeding - Plucks vegetable matter from short grass in fields and salt marshes, pulls the same from shallow water, or upends in deeper water,..
Length 1.4 - 1.6m,
Wingspan - 2,08 - 2.38m,
Weight - 10 - 12kg,
Lifespan - 15 - 20 years,
Social - Small flocks,
Status - Secure,...
A male hardhead. Hardheads are our only diving ducks - close a split second to late but I will need to keep working on this shot !!
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Aix sponsa | [UK] Wood Duck | [FR] Canard branchu | [DE] Brautente | [ES] Pato de la Florida | [IT] Anatra sposa | [NL] Carolinaeend
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 70 cm
spanwidth max.: 73 cm
size min.: 47 cm
size max.: 54 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 31 days
incubation max.: 35 days
fledging min.: 56 days
fledging max.: 70 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 9
eggs max.: 14
Physical characteristics
Wood Ducks are intermediate in size, between the Mallard and Blue-winged Teal; on average, males weigh 680 g and females weigh 460 g. From a distance, the male Wood Duck on the water appears as a dark-bodied, dark-breasted, light-flanked duck with a striped crested head and a light-coloured throat. At close range, its iridescent plumage, red eyes, and black, red, and white bill are conspicuous. A white eye-ring, light-coloured throat, and fine crest distinguish the female from both the male Wood Duck and females of other species. Both sexes usually show a downward pointing crest at the back of the head, and their long broad square tails are distinctive features in flight.
The wings of Wood Ducks are highly characteristic. The primary wing feathers, which are the 10 outermost flight feathers attached to the wing beyond the wrist, are dark in colour. The outer vanes of these feathers look as if they have been sprayed with aluminum paint. The Wood Duck is the only North American duck so marked.
In most cases it is possible to distinguish immature from mature ducks and to tell males from females by their wings alone. In the Wood Duck, as in other ducks, the feathers of that year's young are finer, more pointed and worn, and less colourful than those of adults. Females show a few small feathers on the upper surface of the wing that are purplish and have the same lustre as oil on water. These feathers are absent in males. The white tips on the feathers along the trailing edge of the wing are usually teardrop-shaped in the female, but either straight or V-shaped in the male. By studying the wings of ducks taken by hunters, biologists can determine the ratio of young to adult ducks in the population and thereby measure waterfowl production.
The Wood Duck is a distinctively North American species. Its only close relative is the Mandarin Duck of eastern Asia. Evidently the Wood Duck originated in North America, as fossil remains have been found only in widely scattered locations in the eastern part of the continent.
Habitat
Like other perching ducks, Wood Ducks nest in trees. Preferred nesting sites are holes in hollow trunks or large branches that result from broken limbs, fire scars, lightning and logging damage. They also use cavities created by large woodpeckers such as the Pileated Woodpecker. Nests are situated from 1 to 15 m above ground, in trees more than 40 cm in diameter. They are usually found close to water, although females sometimes select trees some distance from water.
Other details
In Canada, the Wood Duck nests in scattered locations in the southern parts of all provinces; however, there is only one breeding record for Newfoundland and Labrador. The most extensive breeding ranges are in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and British Columbia. This duck occurs over a much wider area in late summer and early autumn, as a result of post-breeding dispersal. Although most Wood Ducks migrate to the United States, a few may spend the winter in extreme southern Ontario and southeastern British Columbia.
The Wood Duck is much more widely distributed in the United States, where it nests in areas east of the Mississippi River, along the lower Missouri River into South Dakota, in eastern Texas, along the Pacific coast, and in a few other places. It winters mainly along the Atlantic coast from New York south, along the Gulf coast into central Texas, to the lower Mississippi River valley and western California. A few winter in Mexico south to Distrito Federal. In Europe all sightings are of escaped birds.
Feeding
The Wood Duck is mainly a herbivore, or vegetarian, with plant foods making up about 90 percent of its diet. Foods vary according to their local availability, but duckweeds, cypress seeds, sedges, grasses, pondweeds, and acorns are among the more important foods throughout North America. In recent years corn has assumed a greater importance as small groups of Wood Ducks engage in field feeding behaviour similar to that of dabbling ducks, such as Mallards.
Ducklings require a high protein diet for rapid growth. Invertebrates such as dragonflies, bugs, beetles, and spiders are important foods during the first few weeks of life, so high populations of these small creatures are essential in habitats where the young will hatch and develop.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 6,200,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 3,500,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
The female Wood Duck breeds when one year old. She lines the nest with down, or fine feathers, taken from her breast, and lays eight to 15 dull-white to cream-coloured eggs. She incubates, or keeps the eggs warm, for 28 to 30 days until they hatch. During unusually cold weather, or if the female is away from the nest for an abnormally long time, incubation may require a few extra days.
Upon hatching, usually in June in eastern Canada, the young use their sharp claws to climb up the inside of the nesting cavity to its entrance, then jump and flutter to the ground, generally landing unharmed. The female guides them to the nearest water, where they will spend the next eight to nine weeks hunting for food together.
Shortly after the female begins incubation the male loses interest in family affairs and spends more time away from the nest. He joins other males, which eventually form large groups. As mid-summer approaches, the males begin the move to remote, undisturbed, sheltered places to moult, or shed old feathers. To reach these areas, they may travel great distances; many thousands migrate to southeastern Canada from breeding grounds in the northern states. On arrival the moult begins, and by August the brilliant spring feathers of the male have been replaced by a plumage similar to that of the female. Then, all at once, the flight feathers are moulted, leaving the male flightless for approximately four weeks while new feathers grow in.
Soon after the ducklings have fledged, or taken their first flight, usually by mid-August in eastern Canada, the females leave their broods, move a short distance, and undergo their moult. Like the males, they too seek out remote, undisturbed swamps and marshes and become flightless for a short period.
In late summer and early autumn, the young with their newly acquired powers of flight and the adults with their recently replaced flight feathers move in a leisurely way about the northern parts of their range. Their principal concern is to store up energy, in the form of fat, in preparation for the soon-to-come fall migration.
Migration
Wood Ducks migrate north to their Canadian breeding grounds, arriving there by April. Pair formation may occur on the wintering grounds before or during spring migration, or on the breeding grounds if one of the pair is lost. Mated pairs seek out secluded swamps or beaver ponds that provide water, nesting sites, brooding habitat, and feeding areas. Females often return to the same general area in which they were hatched.
By the first severe frost, usually in late September or early October in eastern Canada, Wood Ducks begin to head for the southeastern United States. Southern populations of Wood Ducks, particularly females, are less migratory. Populations in the interior of British Columbia migrate to the west coast, whereas Wood Ducks that live on the coast do not migrate at all. Has occurred Bermuda (regular), Azores and Alaska. Many sightings from Europe, presumed escapes.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Anseriformes
Family:Anatidae
Genus:Cygnus
Species:C. cygnus
Binomial name
Cygnus cygnus
Belmullet Co.Mayo 24-12-2020
Cygnus cygnus
Eala Ghlórach
Status: Winter visitor to wetlands throughout Ireland from October to April.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed due to Ireland hosting more than 20% of the European wintering population. Also due to the majority of Whooper Swans wintering at ten or less sites, as well as its very small breeding population. BirdLife International has assessed the European population as Secure.
Identification: Similar to Bewick's Swan, but larger, with longer neck. Yellow and black bill, with the yellow projecting below the nostril.
Similar Species: Mute and Bewick's Swans.
Call: Vocal bugling or honking.
Diet: Aquatic vegetation, but they are increasingly being recorded grazing on grass in pasture and spilt grain, as well as potatoes from cultivated land.
Breeding: Open shallow water, by coastal inlets, estuaries and rivers. The population occurring in Ireland breeds in Iceland.
Wintering: Most on lowland open farmland around inland wetlands, regularly seen while feeding on grasslands and stubble.
Where to See: Relatively widespread, especially north and west of a line between Limerick and Dublin. Lough Swilly & River Foyle (Co. Donegal) and Lough Foyle on the Donegal/Derry boundary, Lough Gara (Co. Sligo) and the Lough Oughter wetland complex all support greatest numbers (400-2,000 birds).
ORDEN: Anseriformes.
FAMILIA: Anatidae.
N. Cientifico: Anas versicolor versicolor.
N. Ingles: Silver teal.
Habitat: Desde Region Metropolitana a Chiloe. Chile.
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Anseriformes - Anatidae - Branta - bernicla
©2010 by James R. Spitznas / AuLux, all rights reserved. No usage or reproduction allowed in any form without written consent.
Either a very lost, or a very adventuresome female. This bird was found far from her normal range.
Photographed in the Morro Bay Estuary, San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. I was not the original finder of this bird.
The use of any of my photos, of any file size, for any purpose, is subject to approval by me. Contact me for permission. Image files are available upon request. My email address can be found at my Flickr profile page. Or send me a FlickrMail
04-05-2019 New Jersey USA
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Aix sponsa | [UK] Wood Duck | [FR] Canard branchu | [DE] Brautente | [ES] Pato de la Florida | [IT] Anatra sposa | [NL] Carolinaeend
Songs and Calls
Female, loud wooo-eeek!; male, softer jeee? or ter-weeeee?
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 70 cm
spanwidth max.: 73 cm
size min.: 47 cm
size max.: 54 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 31 days
incubation max.: 35 days
fledging min.: 56 days
fledging max.: 70 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 9
eggs max.: 14
Physical characteristics
Wood Ducks are intermediate in size, between the Mallard and Blue-winged Teal; on average, males weigh 680 g and females weigh 460 g. From a distance, the male Wood Duck on the water appears as a dark-bodied, dark-breasted, light-flanked duck with a striped crested head and a light-coloured throat. At close range, its iridescent plumage, red eyes, and black, red, and white bill are conspicuous. A white eye-ring, light-coloured throat, and fine crest distinguish the female from both the male Wood Duck and females of other species. Both sexes usually show a downward pointing crest at the back of the head, and their long broad square tails are distinctive features in flight.
The wings of Wood Ducks are highly characteristic. The primary wing feathers, which are the 10 outermost flight feathers attached to the wing beyond the wrist, are dark in colour. The outer vanes of these feathers look as if they have been sprayed with aluminum paint. The Wood Duck is the only North American duck so marked.
In most cases it is possible to distinguish immature from mature ducks and to tell males from females by their wings alone. In the Wood Duck, as in other ducks, the feathers of that year's young are finer, more pointed and worn, and less colourful than those of adults. Females show a few small feathers on the upper surface of the wing that are purplish and have the same lustre as oil on water. These feathers are absent in males. The white tips on the feathers along the trailing edge of the wing are usually teardrop-shaped in the female, but either straight or V-shaped in the male. By studying the wings of ducks taken by hunters, biologists can determine the ratio of young to adult ducks in the population and thereby measure waterfowl production.
The Wood Duck is a distinctively North American species. Its only close relative is the Mandarin Duck of eastern Asia. Evidently the Wood Duck originated in North America, as fossil remains have been found only in widely scattered locations in the eastern part of the continent.
Habitat
Like other perching ducks, Wood Ducks nest in trees. Preferred nesting sites are holes in hollow trunks or large branches that result from broken limbs, fire scars, lightning and logging damage. They also use cavities created by large woodpeckers such as the Pileated Woodpecker. Nests are situated from 1 to 15 m above ground, in trees more than 40 cm in diameter. They are usually found close to water, although females sometimes select trees some distance from water.
Other details
In Canada, the Wood Duck nests in scattered locations in the southern parts of all provinces; however, there is only one breeding record for Newfoundland and Labrador. The most extensive breeding ranges are in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and British Columbia. This duck occurs over a much wider area in late summer and early autumn, as a result of post-breeding dispersal. Although most Wood Ducks migrate to the United States, a few may spend the winter in extreme southern Ontario and southeastern British Columbia.
The Wood Duck is much more widely distributed in the United States, where it nests in areas east of the Mississippi River, along the lower Missouri River into South Dakota, in eastern Texas, along the Pacific coast, and in a few other places. It winters mainly along the Atlantic coast from New York south, along the Gulf coast into central Texas, to the lower Mississippi River valley and western California. A few winter in Mexico south to Distrito Federal. In Europe all sightings are of escaped birds.
Feeding
The Wood Duck is mainly a herbivore, or vegetarian, with plant foods making up about 90 percent of its diet. Foods vary according to their local availability, but duckweeds, cypress seeds, sedges, grasses, pondweeds, and acorns are among the more important foods throughout North America. In recent years corn has assumed a greater importance as small groups of Wood Ducks engage in field feeding behaviour similar to that of dabbling ducks, such as Mallards.
Ducklings require a high protein diet for rapid growth. Invertebrates such as dragonflies, bugs, beetles, and spiders are important foods during the first few weeks of life, so high populations of these small creatures are essential in habitats where the young will hatch and develop.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 6,200,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 3,500,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
The female Wood Duck breeds when one year old. She lines the nest with down, or fine feathers, taken from her breast, and lays eight to 15 dull-white to cream-coloured eggs. She incubates, or keeps the eggs warm, for 28 to 30 days until they hatch. During unusually cold weather, or if the female is away from the nest for an abnormally long time, incubation may require a few extra days.
Upon hatching, usually in June in eastern Canada, the young use their sharp claws to climb up the inside of the nesting cavity to its entrance, then jump and flutter to the ground, generally landing unharmed. The female guides them to the nearest water, where they will spend the next eight to nine weeks hunting for food together.
Shortly after the female begins incubation the male loses interest in family affairs and spends more time away from the nest. He joins other males, which eventually form large groups. As mid-summer approaches, the males begin the move to remote, undisturbed, sheltered places to moult, or shed old feathers. To reach these areas, they may travel great distances; many thousands migrate to southeastern Canada from breeding grounds in the northern states. On arrival the moult begins, and by August the brilliant spring feathers of the male have been replaced by a plumage similar to that of the female. Then, all at once, the flight feathers are moulted, leaving the male flightless for approximately four weeks while new feathers grow in.
Soon after the ducklings have fledged, or taken their first flight, usually by mid-August in eastern Canada, the females leave their broods, move a short distance, and undergo their moult. Like the males, they too seek out remote, undisturbed swamps and marshes and become flightless for a short period.
In late summer and early autumn, the young with their newly acquired powers of flight and the adults with their recently replaced flight feathers move in a leisurely way about the northern parts of their range. Their principal concern is to store up energy, in the form of fat, in preparation for the soon-to-come fall migration.
Migration
Wood Ducks migrate north to their Canadian breeding grounds, arriving there by April. Pair formation may occur on the wintering grounds before or during spring migration, or on the breeding grounds if one of the pair is lost. Mated pairs seek out secluded swamps or beaver ponds that provide water, nesting sites, brooding habitat, and feeding areas. Females often return to the same general area in which they were hatched.
By the first severe frost, usually in late September or early October in eastern Canada, Wood Ducks begin to head for the southeastern United States. Southern populations of Wood Ducks, particularly females, are less migratory. Populations in the interior of British Columbia migrate to the west coast, whereas Wood Ducks that live on the coast do not migrate at all. Has occurred Bermuda (regular), Azores and Alaska. Many sightings from Europe, presumed escapes.
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Anseriformes - Anatidae - Aix - sponsa
©2009 by James R. Spitznas / AuLux, all rights reserved. No usage or reproduction allowed in any form without written consent.
EXPLORE #381 on 28Dec09!
Dismal light, as per usual. I dialled in a lot of +ve exposure bias & then lifted again in PP to burn out the noise in the water at least.
Orden: Anseriformes.
Familia: Anatidae.
Nombre cientifico: Callonetta leucophrys
Nombre en Ingles: Ringed Teal.
Captura: General Pico, La Pampa, Argentina.
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Anas acuta | [UK] Northern Pintail | [FR] Canard pilet | [DE] Spießente | [ES] Ánade Rabudo | [IT] Codone comune | [NL] Pijlstaart
spanwidth min.: 79 cm
spanwidth max.: 87 cm
size min.: 51 cm
size max.: 62 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 22 days
incubation max.: 24 days
fledging min.: 40 days
fledging max.: 45 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 7
eggs max.: 10
Physical characteristics
Slightly bigger than a mallard, these long-necked and small-headed ducks fly with a curved back pointed wings and a tapering tail, making this the best way to distinguish them from other ducks. The drake Pintail is perhaps the most handsome of our ducks, the very epitome of grace and elegance. His most distinctive identification feature is the wavy white stripe extending up the side of his otherwise brown neck, but birds with their necks hidden can still be told by their white chests, grey bodies, black and yellow undertails and of course, the long spiky tails. The female Pintail lacks the colourful plumage and the tail spike but are still unmistakably elegant, with slender, almost swan-like necks, small plain heads and long slim grey bills. In flight the Pintail looks distinctively slender thanks mainly to their long necks and long pointed tails. In both male and female, it is the white trailing edge to the speculum which is most conspicuous.
Northern Pintails are wary, especially during their flightless stage in late summer, when they are highly secretive. They will forage on land, but find most of their food by dabbling in shallow, muddy water.
Habitat
Small lakes, rivers and shallow freshwater marshes, with dense vegetaion in open country. In winter on coastal lagoons of brackish waters.
Other details
Anas acuta is a widespread breeder in much of northern and parts of central Europe, which accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>320,000 pairs), but underwent a large decline between 1970-1990. Although it was stable or increased across much of its European range during 1990-2000, the stronghold population in Russia continued to decline, and the species underwent a moderate decline (>10%) overall.
This duck is breeding in northern Eurasia and North America. For practical reasons its populations of the European Union can be subdivided in two distinct sub-populations, separated by their wintering quarters. The first, totalling about 60000 individuals, is wintering in the Atlantic regions from Denmark to the British Isles and Aquitaine. The second population is estimated at 1200000 individuals. It winters around the Mediterranean and in West Africa. These two populations are not strictly separated and many birds are shifting from one to the other. Nevertheless this species is declining in western Europe, fluctuating in Central Europe and the Mediterranean.
Widespread and common throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, the Northern Pintail is probably one of the most numerous species of duck worldwide. Numbers in North America vary a great deal from year to year, although some surveys have recorded significant, long-term declines since the 1960s. Predators and farming operations destroy many thousands of Northern Pintail nests each year. Farming has also affected nesting habitat. Pintails appear to be responding to new conservation practices, however, including habitat restoration and tighter restrictions on hunting, and numbers seem to be increasing. If these practices are maintained, Northern Pintails should be able to maintain a healthy population in North America.
Feeding
Aquatic plants and crop vegetative, leaves, stems, roots and seeds. Many terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, amphibians and some small fish in spring and summer. Feeds by dabbling, upending and head-dipping in shallow water. Sometimes grazes on dry land.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 6,100,000-7,500,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Pairing begins on the wintering grounds and continues through spring migration. Northern Pintails are among the earliest nesters, and arrive on the breeding grounds as soon as they are free of ice (egg laying from november-march) in single pairs or loose groups. The nest is located on dry ground in short vegetation. It is usually near water, but may be up to half a mile away from the nearest body of water. Pintail nests are often more exposed than other ducks' nests. The nest is a shallow depression, built by the female and made of grass, twigs, or leaves, lined with down. Incubation of the 6 to 10 eggs lasts from 21 to 25 days and is done by the female alone. The pair bond dissolves shortly after the female begins incubation, when the males gather in flocks to molt. Within a few hours of hatching, the young follow the female from the nest site. They can feed themselves, but the female continues to tend them until they fledge at 38 to 52 days. In the far north where continuous daylight allows for round-the-clock feeding, the young develop faster. Sexual maturity is reached after one year.
Migration
Highly migratory. Breeders from Iceland winter mainly Britain and Ireland. Breeding populations of north Russia east to north-west Siberia, Fenno-Scandia, and Baltic migrate south-west to winter in the Netherlands and British Isles, movement from former to latter in hard weather. Vast population breeding from Belarus and Russia east to West Siberia winter in Mediterranean and Black Sea areas, and probably West Africa. Major movements away from moult areas and breeding grounds mid-August to early September. Early passage through Europe in August, peak movements mid-September to November, males preceding females due to earlier moult. Further movements under weather influence at any time during winter. Departures from West Africa begin February, from west Europe late February or March; reach tundras late May. Major flyways tend to follow coasts, normally relatively small numbers inland central Europe.
Pretty harsh light here but I like the Beagle Boys looking so serious. I watched this family for a while. Out in the deeper water the ducklings all practised diving. Occasionally when both parents dived the little ones looked so alarmed.
VIDEO @= flic.kr/p/25ZMegU
Twelve males displaying to a single female
Skerries Co.Dublin 22-03-2018
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Melanitta nigra | [UK] Common Scoter | [FR] Macreuse noire | [DE] Trauerente | [ES] Negrón común | [IT] Orchetto marino | [NL] Zwarte Zee-eend | [IRL] Scótar
spanwidth min.: 130 cm
spanwidth max.: 155 cm
size min.: 48 cm
size max.: 58 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 27 days
incubation max.: 29 days
fledging min.: 0 days
fledging max.: 0 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 10
eggs max.: 12
There has been a decline in breeding numbers since the 1970s - 96 pairs were estimated in 1995 and 80 in 1999. Eutrophication of the waters has reduced the species’ food supply which has resulted in poor productivity and juvenile survival. Mink predation has also had a considerable impact during the breeding season, and incubating females have been most vulnerable. However, in recent decades, it has been suggested that birds may be redistributing to other large lakes in western and central Ireland.
Status: Resident and winter visitor from the Continentto all Irish coasts between October and April.
Conservation Concern: Red-listed due to its declining breeding population. The European population has been evaluated as Secure.
Identification: Medium-sized, plump duck usually seen in large flocks offshore. At closer range, males with yellow knob at base of bill. All dark plumage, with no white on the wing. Males black, females sooty brown with paler cheeks.
Similar Species: Velvet Scoter and other ducks.
Call: Soft piping 'pju'.
Diet: During the summer the diet is varied and includes water plants, insect larvae and freshwater crustaceans. During the winter, they forage mostly in waters less than 20 m deep and with coarse sandy substrates. They feed predominantly on benthic bivalve molluscs.
Breeding: First recorded breeding in Ireland in the beginning of the 20th century at Lower Lough Erne. Numbers increased steadily - up to 150 pairs were estimated during the late 1960s. They nest on islands with dense covering of scrub and tree cover. The breedding population has declined since due to the increase in Mink, which predate the nests and young.
Wintering: Common Scoter are almost entirely marine during the winter, and tend to congregate in large flocks on shallow seas with sandy bottoms supporting their preferred prey.
Where to See: Wexford Bay in County Wexford, Castlemaine Harbour & Rossbehy in County Kerry, Brandon Bay - Inner Brandon Bay in County Kerry, Donegal Bay in County Donegal and from Ben Head to Skerries on the east coast are among the best wintering sites, supporting 800-4,500 birds.
Physical characteristics
Black Scoters are large, mostly black or dark gray sea ducks. Formerly called the Common Scoter, the Black Scoter is the least common of the three scoters. Adult males are solid black with a bulbous yellow knob on an otherwise black bill. Females and juveniles are dark gray, lighter on the cheek with a dark cap. Their bills are dark and lack the knob found in adult males.
Scoters spend the non-breeding part of the year in large flocks on the ocean. Black Scoters forage by diving and swimming under water, propelled by their feet. They usually feed in areas of open water, avoiding dense submergent or emergent vegetation. They swallow their prey under water, unless it is large or bulky. They are strong fliers, but must get a running start on the water to get airborne.
Habitat
The breeding range of the Black Scoter is at the edge of the northern forest or in the treeless tundra, where they breed on small, shallow lakes, ponds, sloughs, and river banks with tall grasses to conceal nests. In winter, they can be found on coastal bays and along coastlines, usually in shallow water within a mile of shore.
Rogerstown Estuary / Turvey Nature Reserve 07-03-2021
[order] ANSERIFORMES | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Branta bernicla | [UK] Brant Goose | [FR] Bernache cravant | [DE] Ringelgans | [ES] Barnacla de Cara Negra | [NL] Rotgans |
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 105 cm
spanwidth max.: 117 cm
size min.: 55 cm
size max.: 62 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 24 days
incubation max.: 26 days
fledging min.: 36 days
fledging max.: 26 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 6
eggs max.: 10
Light-bellied Brent Goose
Branta bernicla hrota
Cadhan
This population winters almost entirely in Ireland, with small numbers in parts of Britain and France.
Status: Winter migrant from high-Arctic Canada. Most occur in Ireland between October and April.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed as the majority winter at less than ten sites. The Irish population is also internationally significant, another amber listing criterion. The European population has been evaluated as Vulnerable as several important populations declined.
Identification: Small dark goose, with a black head, neck and breast, and dark-brown upperparts and pale underparts. Almost whitish flanks, and small white crescent on the upperparts of the neck visible at close range.
Similar Species: Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Black Brant, Barnacle Goose
Call: Gutteral 'rhut, rhut'
Diet: During the winter, it feeds mostly on eel-grass, which grows on muddy estuaries, and also on grasslands, usually when coastal supplies have been depleted at estuarine sites.
Breeding: Nests in small, loose colonies by coastal tundra, with pools and small inlets.
Wintering: Mostly found on coastal estuaries during the autumn and early winter, and also on grasslands from mid-winter, until departure for the breeding grounds begins in late April.
Where to See: Highest numbers (c. 30,000) are seen at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland in October, where most congregate on arrival. Thereafter, they move to other estuarine sites. Lough Foyle in County Derry, Dublin Bay in County Dublin, Tralee Bay, Lough Gill & Akeragh Lough in County Kerry, Rogerstown Estuary in County Dublin, Wexford Harbour & Slobs in County Wexford are other well-used sites (1,000-3,500 birds).
Physical characteristics
The Brant is similar in appearance to the Canada Goose, but smaller and darker. The adult has a gray belly and breast, white rump, and black neck and head with a thin white necklace and no chin-strap.
Fast fliers with swept-back wings, Brant are usually found in a flock. They forage while wading, dabbling in shallow water, or while walking on mudflats or the shore. They display strong site-fidelity to both their wintering and nesting areas.
Habitat
Brant are almost exclusively coastal in their range and are found in shallow bays and saltwater marshes. They nest in the wet, coastal tundra of the high Arctic. Their winter habitat is closely tied to the occurrence of sea grasses and marine algae.
Other details
Branta bernicla is a rare breeder in the European Arctic, but winters mainly in coastal areas of western Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global wintering range. Its European wintering population is large (>240,000 individuals), and increased between 1970-1990. Although a few populations increased or were broadly stable during 1990-2000, key wintering populations (of the subspecies B. b. bernicla) in the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands declined, and the species underwent a large decline (>30%) overall.
This goose is breeding on the arctic coasts of Eurasia and North America, mainly on small islets protected from polar foxes (Alopex lagopus). It winters along the temperate Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The birds visiting the European Union belong to three different populations (Scott & Rose). The first population, estimated at 20000 individuals, comprises the white-bellied birds of the race hrota, breeding in Greenland and northern Canada and wintering in Ireland. The second population, estimated at 5000 individuals, comprises the birds of the race hrota breeding on Svalbard and wintering in Denmark and north-eastern England. The third population, estimated at 300000 individuals, comprises the dark-bellied birds of the nominate race, breeding along the Russian coasts and wintering in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, south-western England and France. All three populations have undergone important fluctuations. The nominate race has experienced a 90% decline during the 1930s following a disease of its foodplant, Zostera marina. It has started to recover since the 1950s, and the increase is still in progress. The populations of Canada and Greenland have increased since the 1960s and seem currently to be stable. The population of Svalbard dropped from about 40000-50000 to a mere 2000 at the end of the 1960s, not only because of the disease of Zostera but also because of non sustainable hunting. Since the 1970s it has recovered
Feeding
Historically, Brant fed almost exclusively on eelgrass, which is still strongly preferred when available. Now they also forage on grasslands and have been able to diversify their diet in the absence of eelgrass, although their range is still closely tied to eelgrass. Brant also eat some aquatic invertebrates.
Conservation
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Long-term pair bonds usually form on the wintering grounds. Nesting occurs in loose colonies, on small islands in tundra ponds. The breeding range of the Brant is typically within five miles of the coast. The nest is a shallow bowl of grass and other vegetation, lined with down. The female incubates 3 to 5 eggs for 22 to 24 days. The young leave the nest within a day of hatching, and both parents continue to tend them and lead them to sources of food. During the long days of the high-Arctic summer, the young feed at all hours, and grow quickly. They fledge at 40 to 50 days, but stay with the parents through the first migration.
Migration
Single wholly migratory population. Depart Russian tundras mid-August to 1st week September. Main route west along arctic coasts to White Sea, then overland to Gulfs of Finland and Bothnia. Passage through Baltic mid-September to early October; first arrivals Denmark late September but bulk October. Some stay Denmark and western Germany through November before moving on in colder weather; others go straight to winter quarters in Netherlands, south-east England, and west France, where peak numbers December-February. Return passage begins early March; most leave England and France by mid-April. Spring gatherings in Netherlands, Denmark and western Germany until main departures in mid-May; only stragglers after mid-June.
Whooper Swan (Sangsvane / Cygnus cygnus) from Vestfossen (Norway). February 2012.
Canon 550D, Sigma 150-500mm.
The photo is part of a Whooper Swan set.
Greylag Goose,
Order - Anseriformes, Family - Anatidae, Species, - Anser anser,
Of all grey geese, the Grey lag ( the direct ancestor of the domestic goose ) most resembles the farmyard goose.
It is also the most easily seen grey goose in the UK because it has been introduced in many lowland areas where sizeable flocks are now semi-tame and resident all year round.
Winter visitors are still wild and shy.
In much of eastern and central Europe, the Greylag is naturally resident in extensive marshes,
Voice, - Loud, clattering, and honking notes like farmyard bird, ahng-ahng-ahng,kang-ank,
Nesting, - Sparsely lined ground nest, often on island; 4 - 6 eggs; 1 brood; May - June.
Feeding, - Grazes; plucks-grass and cereal shoots, digs for roots and waste grain,
Length, - 74 - 84 cm ( 29 - 33 in ),
Wingspan, - 1.49 - 1.68 m ( 5f - 5f 6in ),
Weight - 2.9 - 3.7kg,
Lifespan, - 15 - 20 years,
Social - Flocks,
Status, - Secure,.
04-05-2019 New Jersey USA
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Aix sponsa | [UK] Wood Duck | [FR] Canard branchu | [DE] Brautente | [ES] Pato de la Florida | [IT] Anatra sposa | [NL] Carolinaeend
Songs and Calls
Female, loud wooo-eeek!; male, softer jeee? or ter-weeeee?
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 70 cm
spanwidth max.: 73 cm
size min.: 47 cm
size max.: 54 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 31 days
incubation max.: 35 days
fledging min.: 56 days
fledging max.: 70 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 9
eggs max.: 14
Physical characteristics
Wood Ducks are intermediate in size, between the Mallard and Blue-winged Teal; on average, males weigh 680 g and females weigh 460 g. From a distance, the male Wood Duck on the water appears as a dark-bodied, dark-breasted, light-flanked duck with a striped crested head and a light-coloured throat. At close range, its iridescent plumage, red eyes, and black, red, and white bill are conspicuous. A white eye-ring, light-coloured throat, and fine crest distinguish the female from both the male Wood Duck and females of other species. Both sexes usually show a downward pointing crest at the back of the head, and their long broad square tails are distinctive features in flight.
The wings of Wood Ducks are highly characteristic. The primary wing feathers, which are the 10 outermost flight feathers attached to the wing beyond the wrist, are dark in colour. The outer vanes of these feathers look as if they have been sprayed with aluminum paint. The Wood Duck is the only North American duck so marked.
In most cases it is possible to distinguish immature from mature ducks and to tell males from females by their wings alone. In the Wood Duck, as in other ducks, the feathers of that year's young are finer, more pointed and worn, and less colourful than those of adults. Females show a few small feathers on the upper surface of the wing that are purplish and have the same lustre as oil on water. These feathers are absent in males. The white tips on the feathers along the trailing edge of the wing are usually teardrop-shaped in the female, but either straight or V-shaped in the male. By studying the wings of ducks taken by hunters, biologists can determine the ratio of young to adult ducks in the population and thereby measure waterfowl production.
The Wood Duck is a distinctively North American species. Its only close relative is the Mandarin Duck of eastern Asia. Evidently the Wood Duck originated in North America, as fossil remains have been found only in widely scattered locations in the eastern part of the continent.
Habitat
Like other perching ducks, Wood Ducks nest in trees. Preferred nesting sites are holes in hollow trunks or large branches that result from broken limbs, fire scars, lightning and logging damage. They also use cavities created by large woodpeckers such as the Pileated Woodpecker. Nests are situated from 1 to 15 m above ground, in trees more than 40 cm in diameter. They are usually found close to water, although females sometimes select trees some distance from water.
Other details
In Canada, the Wood Duck nests in scattered locations in the southern parts of all provinces; however, there is only one breeding record for Newfoundland and Labrador. The most extensive breeding ranges are in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and British Columbia. This duck occurs over a much wider area in late summer and early autumn, as a result of post-breeding dispersal. Although most Wood Ducks migrate to the United States, a few may spend the winter in extreme southern Ontario and southeastern British Columbia.
The Wood Duck is much more widely distributed in the United States, where it nests in areas east of the Mississippi River, along the lower Missouri River into South Dakota, in eastern Texas, along the Pacific coast, and in a few other places. It winters mainly along the Atlantic coast from New York south, along the Gulf coast into central Texas, to the lower Mississippi River valley and western California. A few winter in Mexico south to Distrito Federal. In Europe all sightings are of escaped birds.
Feeding
The Wood Duck is mainly a herbivore, or vegetarian, with plant foods making up about 90 percent of its diet. Foods vary according to their local availability, but duckweeds, cypress seeds, sedges, grasses, pondweeds, and acorns are among the more important foods throughout North America. In recent years corn has assumed a greater importance as small groups of Wood Ducks engage in field feeding behaviour similar to that of dabbling ducks, such as Mallards.
Ducklings require a high protein diet for rapid growth. Invertebrates such as dragonflies, bugs, beetles, and spiders are important foods during the first few weeks of life, so high populations of these small creatures are essential in habitats where the young will hatch and develop.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 6,200,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 3,500,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
The female Wood Duck breeds when one year old. She lines the nest with down, or fine feathers, taken from her breast, and lays eight to 15 dull-white to cream-coloured eggs. She incubates, or keeps the eggs warm, for 28 to 30 days until they hatch. During unusually cold weather, or if the female is away from the nest for an abnormally long time, incubation may require a few extra days.
Upon hatching, usually in June in eastern Canada, the young use their sharp claws to climb up the inside of the nesting cavity to its entrance, then jump and flutter to the ground, generally landing unharmed. The female guides them to the nearest water, where they will spend the next eight to nine weeks hunting for food together.
Shortly after the female begins incubation the male loses interest in family affairs and spends more time away from the nest. He joins other males, which eventually form large groups. As mid-summer approaches, the males begin the move to remote, undisturbed, sheltered places to moult, or shed old feathers. To reach these areas, they may travel great distances; many thousands migrate to southeastern Canada from breeding grounds in the northern states. On arrival the moult begins, and by August the brilliant spring feathers of the male have been replaced by a plumage similar to that of the female. Then, all at once, the flight feathers are moulted, leaving the male flightless for approximately four weeks while new feathers grow in.
Soon after the ducklings have fledged, or taken their first flight, usually by mid-August in eastern Canada, the females leave their broods, move a short distance, and undergo their moult. Like the males, they too seek out remote, undisturbed swamps and marshes and become flightless for a short period.
In late summer and early autumn, the young with their newly acquired powers of flight and the adults with their recently replaced flight feathers move in a leisurely way about the northern parts of their range. Their principal concern is to store up energy, in the form of fat, in preparation for the soon-to-come fall migration.
Migration
Wood Ducks migrate north to their Canadian breeding grounds, arriving there by April. Pair formation may occur on the wintering grounds before or during spring migration, or on the breeding grounds if one of the pair is lost. Mated pairs seek out secluded swamps or beaver ponds that provide water, nesting sites, brooding habitat, and feeding areas. Females often return to the same general area in which they were hatched.
By the first severe frost, usually in late September or early October in eastern Canada, Wood Ducks begin to head for the southeastern United States. Southern populations of Wood Ducks, particularly females, are less migratory. Populations in the interior of British Columbia migrate to the west coast, whereas Wood Ducks that live on the coast do not migrate at all. Has occurred Bermuda (regular), Azores and Alaska. Many sightings from Europe, presumed escapes.
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Alopochen aegyptiacus | [UK] Egyptian Goose | [FR] Ouette d'Égypte | [DE] Nilgans | [ES] Oca del Nilo | [IT] Oca egiziana | [NL] Nijlgans
Measurements
spanwidth min.: 130 cm
spanwidth max.: 145 cm
size min.: 63 cm
size max.: 73 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 28 days
incubation max.: 30 days
fledging min.: 70 days
fledging max.: 75 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 7
eggs max.: 10
Physical characteristics
Egyptian geese have long necks, long pink legs, a pink bill and brown eye patches encircling each eye. They are distinguished from closely related species by a brown patch in the middle of the chest. The upper wings and the head are brown, while the rest of the body is light brown. The underside of the wings is white and green. Juveniles do not have the brown eye patches or a patch on the chest. Egyptian geese are anywhere from 63 to 73 cm in height and they can weigh from 1.5 to 2.3 kg. The wingspan is fairly large, measuring 38 cm, on average.
Distinguishing between males and females can be a challenge. The females are smaller than the males, but otherwise both sexes look alike. One way to tell them apart is by their sound. Males make a raspy hiss, while females produce a cackling sound. Although they are not terribly vocal, when they are feeling aggressive or stressed they will make a great deal of noise.
These geese stay together in small flocks throughout the year, mainly for protection. Egyptian geese pair up during the breeding season, but otherwise they remain in their flocks. Although they are mainly sedentary, they move to another body of water if a period of drought occurs in their current home range. They may wander from the water during the day in search of food in either the grasslands or agricultural fields. They always return to the water at night.
Habitat
Egyptian geese will not populate densely wooded areas, though they can be found in meadows, grasslands, and agricultural fields. Most of their time is spent in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands. They can be found as high as 4000 m.
Other details
Alopochen aegyptiaca is widely distributed throughout its native range, Africa, and southern Europe. It is especially common in southern Africa, below the Sahara and in the Nile Valley. In the 18th century, Alopochen aegyptiaca was introduced into Great Britain, and a substantial population still thrives there today. Currently Alopochen aegyptiaca is colonizing the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Introduced 18th century in West Europe, the range of feral (returned to wild) population has increased in recent years. Breeds ferally also in Netherlands since 1970s and Belgium since 1982, with a few pairs in France and Germany. Birds seen sporadically elsewhere in Europe also regarded as of captive origin, though some older southern records perhaps wild birds, as former breeding range uncertain. Occasional records in Israel, where perhaps bred formerly. Formerly scarce winter visitor to Cyprus, and has occasionally wintered Tunisia and Algeria.
Feeding
Egyptian geese are mainly herbivores, they eat young grass from grasslands or savannahs, grains (particularly wheat) from agricultural fields, and soft vegetation like leaves and other detritus. Many tend to forage away from the water in pastures or arable land. Part of their diet includes a wide variety of small insects, terrestrial worms and frogs that live in nearby ponds.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 19,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 210,000-530,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
The males are quite aggressive when mating. Each male performs a noisy and elaborate courtship display, emitting unusually loud honking noises. Under normal circumstances, Egyptian geese are reserved, quiet animals, but during mating season they are just the opposite. A male will act in this manner in order to attract a female. Since Egyptian geese are monogamous, one male and one female nest alone in dense vegetation, holes, or simply on the ground.
Egyptian geese breed in the spring or at the end of the dry season (The breeding season is anywhere from July to March, depending on the area). At the age of two, Alopochen aeygptiacus reach sexual maturity. Nest locations are usually near water for safety and near grassland for feeding; the nests are made out of feathers and vegetation and are located in dense vegetation, holes, or simply on the ground. Pairs sometimes find nests on the ground or use deserted nests of other larger bird species (such as Buteo buteo (common buzzard) or Pica pica (black-billed magpie)), which can be located in trees or on high ledges. The male goose fertilizes the female internally. Five to twelve eggs are laid, and they are incubated for 28 to 30 days. The young fledge in 70 days. Incubation lasts from 28 to 30 days and is done by both parents. The father protects the eggs and chicks, while the mother guides them and keeps them close to her.
Migration
Largely sedentary over much of range, with only local movements linked with availability of water. Occasional in winter N of Sahara (Algeria, Tunisia).
Ordem (Order): Anseriformes
Família (Family): Anatidae
Nome popular (Popular Name): Pato-mandarim (Mandarin duck)
Nome científico (Scientific Name): Aix galericulata
Distribuição geográfica (Geographical Distribution): nidificam no sudeste da Rússia, no nordeste da China e no norte do Japão [são residentes nas ilhas centrais e do sul do Japão]; invernam no sudeste da China e na Coreia do Sul; foram introduzidos no sul de Inglaterra (nesting in south-eastern Russia, northeastern China and northern Japan [they are residents in central and southern islands of Japan]; wintering in southeast China and South Korea; were introduced in southern England)
Habitat: vive em ambientes aquáticos de água doce e nas proximidades de florestas temperadas de folha caduca (lives in freshwater aquatic environments and nearby temperate deciduous forests)
Hábitos alimentares (Food habits): sementes, plantas aquáticas, caracóis, insetos e peixes (seeds, aquatic plants, snails, insects and fish)
É uma das espécies mais bonitas de palmípedes, originária da China.
O pato-mandarim é monógamo. Como todo palmípedes, gosta muito de água. Três de seus dedos são ligados pela membrana natatória e apenas um é livre, o que o ajuda a nadar perfeitamente.
Acostumado a dormir em cima d'água, esse tipo de ave possui as penas do corpo impermeáveis. Nunca fica molhado porque sua penugem forma uma espécie de couraça.
It is one of the most beautiful web-footed species, originating in China.
The Mandarin duck is monogamous. Like all web-footed, he likes water. Three of his fingers are connected by the swimming membrane and only one is free, which helps to swim perfectly.
Used to sleeping on top of water, this type of bird has waterproof feathers in his body. He never gets wet because his feathers form a kind of armor.
Photo Equipment: Sony DSC-H7 / Sony VF-74CP Circular PL Filter
Orden:Anseriformes
Familia:Anatidae
Subfamilia:Anatinae
Género:Amazonetta
Nombres comunes: Pato brasileño, pato cutirí o pato aliverde Alita azul, Cerceta Brasileña, Patillo, Pato cutirí
Nombre cientifico:Amazonetta brasiliensis
Nombre ingles :Brazilian Teal
Lugar de captura: El Palmar, Entre Rios, Argentina
Por: Cimarron mayor Panta
Mute Swan, Order Anseriformes, Family Anatidae, Species Cygnus olor,..
A large, familiar bird, strikingly white and obvious even at great range, Mute Swan is generally quite tame, even semi-domesticated in its behaviour and choice of habitat.
Territorial pairs are aggressive, even to people or their dogs, using impressive displays of arched wings and loud, hissing calls.
In some floodplains, small groups regularly feed on dry land, a habit that is more consistent with the two " wild swans ", Bewick's and Whooper,
Voice - Strangled trumpeting and hissing notes,
Nesting - Huge pile of vegetation at water's edge; up to 8 eggs; 1 brood; March - June.
Feeding - Plucks vegetable matter from short grass in fields and salt marshes, pulls the same from shallow water, or upends in deeper water,..
Length 1.4 - 1.6m,
Wingspan - 2,08 - 2.38m,
Weight - 10 - 12kg,
Lifespan - 15 - 20 years,
Social - Small flocks,
Status - Secure,...
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Aythya ferina | [UK] Pochard | [FR] Fuligule milouin | [DE] Tafelente | [ES] Porrón Euroasiático | [IT] Moriglione eurasiatico | [NL] Tafeleend | [IRL] Póiseard cíordhearg
spanwidth min.: 67 cm
spanwidth max.: 75 cm
size min.: 42 cm
size max.: 49 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 24 days
incubation max.: 28 days
fledging min.: 50 days
fledging max.: 55 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 8
eggs max.: 15
Status: Scarce summer visitor and widespread winter migrant - most occur between October & February.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed due to its small breeding population, as well as its localised wintering (< ten sites). The European population has been evaluated as Declining due to a moderate ongoing decline.
Identification: Medium sized, males with chestnut head and neck, black breast, grey flanks and black rump. Females duller grey-brown, with chestnut/pale brown breast, pale loral patch, eye ring and line behinde the eye.
Similar Species: Other ducks.
Call: Mostly silent. Males have characteristic wheezing cut off by a nasal short 'aaaooochaa(e)'.
Diet: Diving ducks - Diet consists largely of plant material. Inland, they feed predominantly on the spores and occasionally on the vegetative parts of aquatic plants.
Breeding: Nests on the ground among waterside vegetation.
Wintering: Show a preference for large shallow eutrophic waters, particularly those with well-vegetated marshes and swamps and slow flowing rivers.
Where to see: Loughs Neagh & Beg in County Antrim and Lough Corrib in County Galway support almost 25,000 birds and 12,000 birds respectively. Lough Derravaragh in County Westmeath, Lough Ennell in County Westmeath and Lough Kinale & Derragh Lough in County Longford are other important wintering sites (1,000- 3,000 birds).
Physical characteristics
The pochard is a stocky diving duck, smaller than a mallard. The male is pale grey with a rusty red head and neck, and a black breast and tail. The female is brown with a dark head and blotchy cheeks. In flight, birds show a pale grey wing-stripe.
Habitat
Vegetated swamps, marshes, lakes and slow flowing rivers with areas of open water. In winter, opten on larger lakes, brackish coastal lagoons and tidal estuaries.
Other details
This duck inhabits a major part of temperate Eurasia, from the British Isles to Mongolia. During the last decades it has extended its distribution westwards and south-westwards. It is now breeding regularly in small numbers in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Spain. The birds of the European Union winter partly from Denmark to the British Isles and Bretagne; partly in Central Europe and the Mediterranean. Its is unlikely however that these birds have a different origin. Only for practical reasons they are considered as belonging to distinct populations. The birds wintering in north-western Europe are amounting to 350000 individuals; those of the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and Central Europe are estimated at 1000000 individuals (Scott & Rose). A few thousands of individuals of this last population reach sub-Saharan Africa. After an increase in numbers and an extension in distribution, the West European population seems currently to be somewhat declining. The trends of the East European populations, visiting e. g. Greece, are less well known but seem also to indicate some decline. In the western Mediterranean this decline is estimated at 70% during the last 20 years
Feeding
Green part of aquatic plants and grass , leaves, stems, roots and seeds. Occasionally aquatic invertebrates and insects amphibians and small fish. Feeds by diving, upending head-dipping and dabbling also filters mud on shore.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 2,500,000-3,800,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Egg-laying begins mainly May, in all areas. Nest is build on ground close to water (usually within 10 m), in thick cover, or in water, built up above surface, in dense reeds and rushes. Nest is build on a platform, with shallow cup of reed stems, leaves, and other vegetation. Clutch size is 8-10, but ranging from 4-22 over 15 probably always 2 females sharing nest. Incubation lasts 24-28 days and the young fledge after 50-55 days.
Migration
Partially migratory; present throughout year in temperate regions (e.g. Central and NW Europe) but northernmost populations winter in Mediterranean basins, sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, SW USSR, Indian Subcontinent, SE Asia and Japan. Vagrant to Faeroes, Azores, Canary and Cape Verde Is; also to Philippines, Guam and Hawaii.
[order] Anseriformes | [family] Anatidae | [latin] Mergus merganser | [UK] Goosander | [FR] Grand Harle | [DE] Gänsesäger | [ES] Serreta Grande | [IT] Smergo maggiore | [NL] Grote Zaagbek | [IRL] Síolta mhór
spanwidth min.: 78 cm
spanwidth max.: 94 cm
size min.: 58 cm
size max.: 68 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 30 days
incubation max.: 32 days
fledging min.: 60 days
fledging max.: 70 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 5
eggs max.: 15
Status: Resident at larger lakes in Counties Wicklow and Donegal. Rare winter visitor throughout Ireland.
Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland, due to its small breeding population. The European population has been assessed as Secure.
Identification: Large, long-bodied, with a long narrow red bill ending in a hook. Swimming birds often retract their long necks. Adult males largely white with glossy green-black neck and head. Back largely black. Females with dark red-brown head, though with a white throat patch, greyish body.
Similar Species: Red-breasted Merganser.
Call: Male call is deep muffled 'krroo-krraa'.
Diet: Goosanders feed largely on small and medium sized fish, and occasionally larger fish such as Pike.
Breeding: Breed on freshwater lakes and pools and winter on large unfrozen lakes and brackish lagoons and occasionally on coastal estuaries. The most recent breeding records in Ireland come from County Wicklow, where one pair was confirmed breeding in 1994, and annual breeding has since been deemed likely, though not confirmed.
Wintering: Irish birds appear to be largely resident. Birds from Continental Europe can occasionally found along coastal areas in winter.
Where to See: Found on freshwater. Belfast Lough in County Down and Lough Tay & Dan in County Wicklow are the most regularly used wintering areas.
Physical characteristics
The long, narrow bill with serrated edges readily distinguishes mergansers from all other ducks. Common mergansers are among the largest ducks, but are less stocky than eiders and goldeneyes. In flight, they appear more elongated than other ducks, flying in trailing lines close to the water surface.
Male common mergansers have a greenish-black crested head and upper neck. The lower neck, breast, and underparts are creamy-white with a variable pink wash. They have black backs and upperwing coverts with white scapulars. The bill is red with a blackish culmen and nail. The legs and feet are deep red.
Female common mergansers have a tufted red-brown head that is clearly defined from the lower neck by a clear whitish chin. The back and sides are silver-gray and the breast and belly are white. The bill is red with a blackish culmen and nail. The legs and feet are deep red.
Habitat
Common mergansers nest in tree cavities, nest boxes, cliff crevices, and on the ground generally near clear water rivers in forested regions and mountainous terrain. They feed by diving underwater in marine and freshwater habitats.
Other details
This duck has a wide distribution in boreal and temperate regions of Eurasia and North America. It has also isolated populations in the mountainous regions of the Alps, the Caucasus and Tibet. Two populations inhabit or visit the European Union. One comprises the birds of northern and north-western Europe, wintering mainly in the Baltic Sea and around the North Sea. It amounts to about 200000 individuals, and seems stable. The birds of the British Isles are sedentary. They amount to about 5000-8000 individuals and increased during the last decades. The population of Central Europe (France, Germany) amounts to 3000 individuals. It is also sedentary and seems to be slightly increasing. A very small population is breeding in the Balkan Peninsula. It is estimated at not more than 11-32 breeding pairs, and its trends are unknown
Feeding
Common mergansers eat mainly fishes, amphibians, crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates obtained by diving underwater in marine and freshwater habitats
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 450,000-1,400,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2002). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Common mergansers breed from Alaska, the southern Yukon, Labrador, and Newfoundland south to central California, Arizona, New Mexico, southern Chihuahua, and, east of the Rockies, to Minnesota, Michigan, New York, New England, and Nova Scotia. Common mergansers nest in tree cavities, nest boxes, cliff crevices, and on the ground generally near clear water rivers in forested regions and mountainous terrain. Female common mergansers lay an average of 9 to 12 eggs.
Migration
Migratory and partially migratory. No evidence that any Icelandic breeders emigrate. Similarly, British breeders almost entirely resident, moving short distances (mainly within 150 km) from breeding waters to lakes and sheltered estuaries. No evidence that breeders of southernmost Scandinavia, north Germany, and Poland move further than western Baltic, but those breeding central and northern Scandinavia, Finland, Baltic States, and Russia east to Pechora migrate west to Baltic and beyond to Netherlands and Britain, in smaller numbers to west France and north Spain. In late August and early September, moulting and breeding waters often deserted as flocks build up on estuaries and shallow parts of some inland lakes. Mass departures not until advent of freezing; thus major movements through Russia and Baltic October and early November. Early arrivals in North Sea countries late October and early November, but no large numbers until December, while numbers build up on Black Sea and Sea of Azov from mid-October to mid-December. Return migration from early March and, apart from stragglers, non-breeding range vacated by mid-April.