Waterfowl
Featured
One of our smallest ducks, the Bufflehead arrives in Washington in early October where it winters mostly in saltwater bays and inlets.
The Redhead is one of seven North American members of the genus Aythya, from the Greek aithuia, a kind of diving bird.
The White-winged Scoter is one of the world’s three scoters, all of which are seen in winter along the Washington coast. They are all in the genus Melanitta from the Greek melas, black, and netta, a duck. Heinrich Boie (1794-1827) Latinized the Greek word for duck and misspelled it. However, the principle of priority allows the error to stand
The Common Merganser (COME) is about 25” long with 34” wingspan and weighs 3.4 lb (1530 g). The genus name Mergus is Latin for diver. The species name merganser is from Latin mergere meaning to dip, plunge, and anser meaning goose. It is called Common because it may be seen more often than other members of its genus.
The Green-winged Teal (GWTE) is about 14” long with a wingspan of 23” and a weight of 12 oz. (350g). The genus name Anas (AY-nas) is Latin for duck. The species name crecca (CREK-ah) is a Latinized onomatopoetic word to express the quack or creak note of this duck.
The Bufflehead is one of the smallest ducks, 13-15”. The male is mostly white, with black back, puffy head, steep forehead, small bill. Head has a large white patch from the eye around to the back of the head. Large white wing patches show in flight.
The Ring-necked Duck (RNDU) is 16-18". The brownish ring on the neck is barely visible. A bold white ring around the bill is a distinguishing feature.
The Oldsquaw, aptly named “Long-tailed Duck”, breeds in the Arctic tundra, but is most frequently observed along both North American coasts during the winter. It is a medium sized duck, 16-21” in length. The four letter code is OLDS.
A medium sized duck, about 19” in length. The four letter code is AMWI. It is one of the most abundant and conspicuous wintering ducks along the Pacific Coast.
The Greater Scaup (GRSC) is about 18” long while the Lesser Scaup (LESC) is a little smaller at about 17”. The genus name Aythya (AY-thih-ah) is from the Greek aithya, a seabird. Other ducks in the same genus are Canvasback, Redhead, Tufted and Ring-necked Ducks.
The Gadwall (GADW) is a duck about 20” long with a wingspan of 33”. The genus name Anas (AY-nas) is Latin, for duck. The species name strepera (STREP-eh-rah) is from Latin, streperus, noisy, apparently in reference to loud calls of the female.
The Ruddy Duck (RUDU) is 15-16” long with a wingspan of 18.5”. The genus name Oxyura (OCK-sih-You-rah) is from Greek, oxys meaning sharp-pointed, and oura, tail, referring to the pointed tail of this duck.
The Wood Duck (WODU) is about 18.5” long with a wingspan of 30” and weight of 1.3 lb. (600g). The genus name Aix (AIKS) is from Greek, aix, a water bird.
Barrow’s Goldeneye is one of our Northwest winter specialties. It winters in Pacific coastal waters from Kodiak, AK to Puget Sound with smaller numbers south to northern California. Birders traveling to the Pacific Northwest are anxious to see this striking duck.
The Pacific Harlequin is the only duck in the world that divides its time between oceans and mountains. It spends summers in turbulent mountain streams and winters in rocky coastal waters. Weighing only 1 ½ pounds, a harlequin, 16-18” in length, is about half the size of a wild mallard. The four letter code is HARL.
The handsome Hooded Merganser appears exclusively in North America, unlike other Mergansers. At 16-19” it is one of our most beautiful waterfowl. This duck’s thin spike-like bill with saw-like teeth and crested head give it a distinct profile.
Common Goldeneyes are very fast fliers. They have been clocked at speeds over 30 mph (Eadie et al). The “Whistler” as it is commonly known, has wing beats so rapid they make a metallic whistling sound during flight.
The long, spoon-shaped bill gives this small duck a front-heavy look. It is about 19” long and the four letter code is NOSH. When swimming, it sits low with the bill angled toward the water. The males’ belly and sides are rufous with a pale blue patch on the forewing, green head and white breast.
The Canvasback stands out from the crowd. Its stately presence separates it from other ducks. It has been called “the aristocrat of ducks” (Mobray), and “elegant” (Alderfer). Its large size, sloping forehead and characteristic “dark at both ends and white in the middle” appearance (Bell and Kennedy) make it easy to pick out of a group of other ducks.
Coots, and their relatives the gallinules, behave like ducks, gathering in flocks, swimming on open water, and walking about on shore