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Duck ID?

Discussion

6 replies
Posted by John Neukirch on June 14, 2013 at 7:51 PM
Duck ID?
My duck ID skills are incredibly weak so I will defer to the experts here. Taken last month on the bank of the Madison river in Yellowstone.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by Tjie Poo on June 15, 2013 at 12:57 AM
Long, spatulate bill. It looks like a female Northern Shoveler. :smile:
Posted by Nick Baldwin on June 15, 2013 at 12:13 PM
I am not sure that I agree fully with the preceding....while the bill is long, this photo doesn't convince me of the spatulate shape. And it could just be the light but her exposed foot doesn't seem to be the bright orange of the Shoveler. Again perhaps the shadow is affecting it, but the female Shoveler have more colorful eyes. I am not trying to be picky, it is a great shot but this particular photo doesn't convince me 100%. If you have other examples, I would like you to offer them.
(please see mine as a reference.)
Posted by Luke Ormand on June 15, 2013 at 3:24 PM
(female) Blue-winged teal, hence the slight amount of blue on the wing. These ducks are pretty small when compared to others.
Posted by RL Potts on June 16, 2013 at 2:28 PM
The cinnamon teal is probably more common in that area and has a more shoveler-like bill. Just sayin'...
Posted by Luke Ormand on June 16, 2013 at 9:06 PM
I believe RL Potts is correct - I was thrown by the blue and never having seen a Cinnamon.
Posted by John Neukirch on June 16, 2013 at 9:11 PM
Good call Robert, there were several cinnamon's paddling about near this youngster napping. Thanks for everyone's suggestions. :toast: