Photos Showing Plumage Differences

in birding •  6 years ago 

NOPI_5024.JPG
This scruffy looking duck is a Northern Pintail Anas acuta male just molting from his juvenile plumage into his first breeding plumage. The white stripe up the neck is just starting to be visible.

NOPI_5054.JPG
This is a Northern Pintail male in more typical plumage.

Some days of birding are just not all that exciting if all I look for is rare or unusual birds. Sometimes though seeing and really looking at common birds in their various plumage aspects can add interest to the day. Over the last couple of days I've seen common waterfowl at close range and had a chance to really look at some cool and specific plumage variations. See what you think.

HOME_5142 FIrst Spring Male.JPG
This is a first spring male Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus. Note the whitish breast, the beginning of some whitish feathers on the crest of the head and the forward flank.

HOME_5144 Adult Female.JPG
This is an adult female Hooded Merganser. Note the lack of whitish breast.

HOME_2708 male at De Coursey Park.JPG
This Hooded Merganser male is in his fully developed adult basic plumage.

BUFF_5104.JPG
Here you can compare the male and female Bufflehead. Bucephala albeola.

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there are ducks that have very nice feathers

Hello,sir i like birds the different types of ducks come from sybaria in my village river thanks for posting.

You got a 4.93% upvote from @minnowvotes courtesy of @birdbanter!