WATERFOWL IDENTIFICATION

1. WATERFOWL IDENTIFICATION Agriscience 381 Wildlife and Recreation Management #8985-E TEKS: (c)(3)(B)

2. Table of Contents • Introduction • Parts of Waterfowl • Identification Factors • Administrative Waterfowl Flyways • Waterfowl Classification and Identification

3. Introduction Both hunters and birdwatchers have an interest in waterfowl. For the hunter, quick recognition allows taking of species with higher bag limits. Since birders do not take waterfowl, correct identification allows accurate recording of sightings.

4. Parts of the Waterfowl Ducks and geese have basically the same anatomy. Knowledge of their parts aids identification. The color of the head and wings, as well as the shape of the head, makes it possible to identify the species.

5. As with many birds, the males are often more colorful than the females. Photo courtesy of U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

6. Parts of the Waterfowl

7. Surface of Duck Wing Upper Surface Under Surface

8. Identification Factors Ducks are harder to identify than geese. Ducks fly faster with a faster wing beat. Also, color markings on geese are simpler than ducks.

9. The four factors that help identify ducks are: • flock pattern, • silhouettes, • color areas, and • sound.

10. Flock Patterns Three typical flock patterns are waving lines to temporary V’s, small compact bunches, and follow-the-leader formation. Different species use different patterns.

11. Waving Line to Temporary V Pattern

12. Small, Compact Bunches

13. Follow-the-Leader Formation

14. Silhouette A silhouette is the outline of a duck’s features. Silhouettes are helpful during the early morning hours.

15. Sound Sound is more than the way ducks quack. Ducks can also whistle, squeal, or grunt. Their sound in flight also can be used to identify species.

16. Color Color can be a difficult way to identify ducks because of their fast flight. It leaves little time to identify and then shoot. With practice, key color areas, size, and location can make identification easier.

17. Plumage color and shape are two keys to correct identification. Drakes have brighter color patterns than hens. Most ducks molt twice a year.

18. Eclipse plumage is a condition when the drake molts and carries hen-like plumage.

19. Administrative Waterfowl Flyways Four flyways cross the United States in a north-south direction:

20. Texas is in the Central Flyway. A flyway is a migration path common to both ducks and geese. Flyways allow for management of waterfowl by flyway councils. Photo by Gary Stolz courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

21. Waterfowl Classification and Identification In this presentation, waterfowl will be grouped as follows: • Tree ducks • Surface-feeding ducks • Diving ducks • Geese • Other migratory game birds • Non-game waterfowl

22. Tree Ducks Tree ducks have long pink legs and erect necks. The sound of their voice gives them the name “whistling ducks.” Two species of tree ducks are: • Black-bellied tree duck, and • Fulvous tree duck.

23. Black-bellied Tree Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis Black-bellied tree ducks have a white head with a rusty crest and a black belly. The upper wings have prominent white feathering. They nest in tree cavities or in marsh areas.

24. Photo by Bob Stratton courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

25. Fulvous Tree Duck Dendrocygna bicolor The fulvous tree duck has a broad creamy stripe on the side and a white ring at the tail base. While the black-bellied species will roost in trees, the fulvous species will not roost in trees. Instead, it prefers grass or marsh areas.

26. Photo by Glen Smart courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

27. Photo by Donna Dewhurst courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

28. Surface-Feeding Ducks Also known as puddle ducks, surface-feeding ducks prefer shallow water habitat. They are good divers, but prefer to feed on vegetation by dabbling or tipping. When they take flight, they launch themselves directly upward.

29. Below are the surface-feeding ducks discussed in this presentation. • Mallard • Pintail • Black duck • Widgeons • Shovelers • Teals • Gadwall • Wood duck

30. MallardAnas platyrhynchos The mallard is a common duck identifiable by its green head and narrow white collar. It is grayish with a purplish-brown breast. The hen is mottled brown with a whitish tail. They may reach 24 inches and weigh 2 ¾ pounds.

31. Photo by Dave Menke courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

32. Photo by Gene Nieminen courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

33. PintailAnas Acuta The pintail is easily recognized by the needle point tail, or sprig. The white on the breast extends to a point on the side of the pintail’s head. The sprig of the female is modified and prevents easy identification. Females are mottled brown with white on outer borders of secondaries.

34. Photo by Peter Mickelson courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

35. Photo by Dave Menke courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

36. Black DuckAnas rubripes The white wing linings of black ducks are visible in flight. Wings have a metallic violet patch, while the body is sooty-brown and the head is gray-brown. Black ducks and mallards are often seen together.

37. Photo by Glen Smart courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

38. Widgeons There are two species of widgeons, the European widgeon(Anas penelope)and the American widgeon(Anas americana). Both have pale blue bills with black tips. Female widgeons can be confused with gadwall and pintail species. Their fast, nervous flight resembles that of a pigeon.

39. American Widgeon Photo by Dave Menke courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

40. European Widgeon Photo by Lee Karney courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

41. Shoveler (Spoonbills) Spatula clypeata Shovelers are small puddle ducks. They get their name from their spoon-shaped bill. Males are black and white with blackish-green heads and a pale blue patch on the forewing. Females are mottled brown with large, pale blue wing patches.

42. Photo by Donna Dewhurst courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

43. Photo by Donna Dewhurst courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

44. Teals • Teals are the smallest of puddle ducks with a 14 to 15 ounce body that measures only 16 inches in length. • There are three species of teal: • blue-winged teal, • cinnamon teal, and • green-winged teal.

45. Blue-winged TealAnas discors Blue-winged teal have a white crescent in front of their eyes and a large chalky-blue patch on the forewings. Females are mottled brown and also have the large blue patch on the forewings.

46. Photo by Dave Menke courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

47. Photo by Dave Menke courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

48. Cinnamon TealAnas cyanoptera Cinnamon teal are dark cinnamon-red in color. They have a chalky-blue patch on the fore edge of wings. The female is mottled brown with a pale blue wing patch.

49. Photo by Dave Menke courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

50. Photo by Dave Menke courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.