Watchable Waterfowl
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Learning how to identify waterfowl is just the beginning of what can become a lifelong interest. Because so many writers, artists, and naturalists have been attracted to waterfowl, there is a wealth of information available to the enthusiast. Studying the courtship behavior, natural history, and migration of North American waterfowl will enrich birders' experiences in the field. The courtship displays of waterfowl are easier to observe than in many other bird species. This behavior is widespread by late winter and can be studied through a scope or binoculars from a blind or vehicle. Tundra swans "dance" and toss their heads while bugling their weird calls. Drake Ruddy Ducks inflate tracheal air sacs in their necks, rapidly drum them with their bills, and then utter a low "squeck". Common Goldeneye drakes throw their heads forward and back to their rumps, kick up a spray of water and call "bee-beep!". Male Northern Pintails arch their long necks, fluff up their scapulars, and point their tails skyward as they whistle low trills. Many species take to the air during these displays. As many as ten drakes may chase a hen, performing spectacular aerobatics as they twist and turn at incredible speeds. While all of this courtship activity can be observed through a scope, a birder needs to be close and well hidden to hear all of the zany sounds. |
The courtship displays of waterfowl are easier to observe than in many other bird species. |
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The natural history of waterfowl reveals other fascinating details. Redheads commonly lay their eggs in the nests of other Redheads, Canvasbacks, Mallards, and teal. Oldsquaws can dive to depths of two hundered feet and, unlike any other duck species, have distinctive summer and winter plumages. Many seaducks, such as eiders and scoters, have nasal salt glands with which they discharge excess salt, allowing them to drink ocean water. Waterfowl molt all of their flight feathers simultaneously, thus rendering them flightless for three to five weeks each summer. During this period they also molt their body feathers, causing male ducks to enter an "eclipse" plumage, where they appear much like the females. This, presumably, helps them escape detection by predators during their flightless period. It also makes them more difficult to identify. [ Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 ] |
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