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Quiz #17 07/06/08 – 07/20/08
I doubt anyone will mind if I assume this is a duck so I will start there. Overall a brown duck without any noticeable bright colors. We should already be able to eliminate most males in alternate (breeding) plumage. We know this was taken in May so its possible this is still a male in basic (eclipse) plumage but many should have some alternate feathers coming in. One might be tempted to jump to the bold facial pattern but lets start with structure and bill.
Overall it’s a rather large-bodied duck with a tail held above the water line. The head is rather large and long and the neck appears long. The position of the tail should make us think dabbler rather than diver since most divers hold their tails at the water level most of the time. The bill is large but straight. These combined with the flank pattern should eliminate many species.
We’re really only left with those in the genus Anas. Females (and female-like eclipse males) in this group can seem similar but we can still remove several species. Based on plumage and structure both Wigeons can be removed. In looking at the bill we can remove Northern Shoveler since their bills noticeably broaden at the tip and are too long. Cinnamon Teal, as well as Blue-winged Teals for that matter, have a similar bill shape. However, while Cinnamon Teal bills noticeably broaden at the tip, Blue-winged Teal bills are less noticeable. Plus, Garganey bills are similar to Blue-winged Teals. The quiz bird’s bill does seem to be too thick and straight for any of these three species. However other field marks would help fully eliminate Blue-winged Teal and Garganey. These teals, as well as Green-winged Teals, all have rather square, flat-topped heads while our quiz bird has a very round head. In addition the flank feathers of the teals are broad and round while our quiz bird’s are not.
Bill color helps us eliminate another group of species. Our quiz bird has a mostly dark brown bill with flesh color along the border. This eliminates the otherwise goose-like and black billed Northern Pintail. This also helps us remove American Black Duck (AMBD) and Mottled Duck (MODU). These two species can be eliminated by other plumage features, too dark flanks for AMBD and too dark head for MODU. Bill color alone doesn’t eliminate Gadwall but head shape and pattern does. Gadwalls have very noticeably square heads.
So, we’re left with only Mallard. But what about the strange head pattern? This pattern does certainly fit Garganey best but, as we have already discussed, other characteristics eliminate this species. Most dark female Mallards have a strong black eyeline but some have a dark “grinline.” This female Mallard is a particularly dark individual but not altogether that unusual. This is a good example of a single bold field mark overpowering others and leading one in a wrong direction. I took this shot of a female MALLARD at Force Lake in Portland, OR.
ANSWER:
MALLARD
Answer Breakdown:
Garganey - 1
The World Famous iseries Pub Quiz!
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Photos (clockwise from upper left): Petroglyphs at Nampaweap; Wildflowers in Bonneville Pass; Zion Canyon from Angel's Landing; Sunset in from Mt. Trumbull in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument; Riverside Geyser in Yellowstone; an egret in North Carolina; waterfall in Garnet Canyon in Grand Teton National Park; Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone; Point Imperial in Grand Canyon; Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon.
Every Sunday at the Duck and Scholar is quiz night. 100 Pound prize for the winner! (it wasn't us...) 1.19.14
The World Famous iseries Pub Quiz!
This photo was taken at insomnia46,
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Alabama State University and Miles College Quiz Bowl Teams compete at the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. (Photo by Sabree Hill/ Dillard University Photographer)
Members of Cornerstone Baptist Church, winners of the King James Bible Quiz at Sumter County Library in Sumter, SC. Image courtesy of Sumter County Library.
The World Famous iseries Pub Quiz!
This photo was taken at insomnia46,
Find out more about Multiplay, the event and see all the coverage.
The World Famous iseries Pub Quiz!
This photo was taken at insomnia46,
Find out more about Multiplay, the event and see all the coverage.