Bufflehead Glow
Jan 13, 2022 10:16:33 #
bamfordr
Loc: Campbell CA
globetrekker wrote:
The last rays of sun of the day give the Deschutes River a warm orange glow as this female Bufflehead pauses between dinner gathering dives.
Nice picture, great moment.
I’ve never seen a bufflehead that looked quite like that. Mature Female has a smaller cheek stripe and a browner body. Mature Male has a larger white patch wrapping the back of its head. After a bit of looking around, I wonder if you captured an immature male?
Jan 13, 2022 15:50:16 #
Jan 13, 2022 15:56:52 #
bamfordr wrote:
Nice picture, great moment.
I’ve never seen a bufflehead that looked quite like that. Mature Female has a smaller cheek stripe and a browner body. Mature Male has a larger white patch wrapping the back of its head. After a bit of looking around, I wonder if you captured an immature male?
I’ve never seen a bufflehead that looked quite like that. Mature Female has a smaller cheek stripe and a browner body. Mature Male has a larger white patch wrapping the back of its head. After a bit of looking around, I wonder if you captured an immature male?
Interesting, hadn't thought of that. Don't know. But would there be any immatures at this time of year? It's not like these guys take years to reach adult plumage, like a Bald Eagle for example.
Jan 13, 2022 16:42:48 #
bamfordr
Loc: Campbell CA
[quote=globetrekker]Interesting, hadn't thought of that. Don't know. But would there be any immatures at this time of year? It's not like these guys take years to reach adult plumage, like a Bald Eagle for example.
Similar pic to yours on ebird.org labeled immature male. Here’s the general site. Move through the pics to find the correct one.
https://ebird.org/species/buffle
They are supposed to reach sexual maturity at two years - which may or may not relate to plumage and coloring.
Live and learn.
Similar pic to yours on ebird.org labeled immature male. Here’s the general site. Move through the pics to find the correct one.
https://ebird.org/species/buffle
They are supposed to reach sexual maturity at two years - which may or may not relate to plumage and coloring.
Live and learn.
Jan 13, 2022 18:53:36 #
Jan 14, 2022 14:46:06 #
globetrekker wrote:
The last rays of sun of the day give the Deschutes River a warm orange glow as this female Bufflehead pauses between dinner gathering dives.
Luv Buffleheads! They can be fun twitch as they dive for food and maneuver around for the best fishing spots. Thanx for sharing.
Jan 14, 2022 15:42:30 #
globetrekker wrote:
The last rays of sun of the day give the Deschutes River a warm orange glow as this female Bufflehead pauses between dinner gathering dives.
Nice shot!
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