Can you identify this duck.....?
Mar 9, 2012 19:15:54 #
Could use some help here. Tried searching Florida birds, but haven't had any luck. I would appreciate any help, and thank you in advance.
Mar 9, 2012 19:21:29 #
That is not a duck but a Pied-billed Grebe. They superficially resemble loons. They are divers and eat small fish.
Mar 9, 2012 19:49:20 #
Thank you. I 've spent most of my time learning how to use my digital camera, and not so much identifying the birds I shoot. Trying to work on that.
Mar 9, 2012 19:51:08 #
Mar 9, 2012 20:30:03 #
Mar 10, 2012 10:07:06 #
Mar 10, 2012 10:14:00 #
I thought it was a Gadwall, but someone hear told me they thought it was a Grebe. So, right now, Grebes 2....Gadwalls 3. Thanks for the input.
Mar 10, 2012 10:50:53 #
Mar 10, 2012 10:56:46 #
I'm going with pied-bill grebe as these have the short stubby bills whereas the gadwall is more pointed. The pic that shutterbuglinda has shown us is the pied-billed grebe in its summer plummage and that is when it has the black band around its bill.
Mar 10, 2012 11:05:50 #
Mee too, it's a Grebe. Definately not a Gadwall.
Here is the website I use most for reference:
http://www.whatbird.com/
Here is the website I use most for reference:
http://www.whatbird.com/
Mar 10, 2012 11:07:55 #
Mar 10, 2012 11:40:22 #
Mar 10, 2012 11:40:38 #
ward5311 wrote:
.
Ward: I can see why there can be some confusion on your part about this bird. There are some similarities but this is not even a duck. Your photo is of a hen Gadwall. You state that the bird in the OP's post is a Drake Gadwall, I am attaching a photo of a Drake Gadwall, in breeding plumage, which it is in at this time of the year. The photo was taken in late February. I am also attaching a photo of a non-breeding Pied-billed Grebe. The Grebes are only now comming into breeding plumage. Note the overall shape of the head, the thick, short bill and the more rusty color of the plumage. Grebes are much smaller that Gadwalls. Size is difficult to ascertain when there is nothing at the same distance of a known size to compare it to.
Cornishpete has it correct.
Drake Gadwall in breeding plumage.
Pied-billed Grebe in late February-non-breeding plumage.
Mar 10, 2012 22:32:21 #
Have to agree with Cornishpete, and the pictures sure show the difference. And by the way,Great shot with the refection in the water.Score of "A"
Mar 11, 2012 00:23:24 #
Whatever that little sucker is,,,, it is a great pic. I love the reflection. Keep it up.
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