ML133370851

Age and sex

Immature Male - X

Observation details

Fairly straightforward identification of this previously reported individual due to close viewing and visibility of diagnostic features. Large duck with streamline head shape including elongated bill and angled forehead, gentle sloping to top of head. Body of the bird rode flat on the water most of the while tucking its head under a wing while riding on the gentle waves near shore. Body shape above the water was elongated adding to the streamlined appearance. Bill appeared the have a light pink base color with gray tones toward the tip, and a dark center bill spot at tip, and changing to light yellow which extended on each side of the head separated by brown feathering on the mid-line. Dark nostril areas were distinct on bill. Eye was dark, with light brown or yellow-brown eye-ring. From the eye a faint pale line arced from the back of the eye to the base of the neck. From the eye forward were darker areas toward the bill and sloping down along the length of the exposed bill with brown feathering similar to that of the head down the mid-line from the top of the head toward the bill covering a thin line of the bill at the mid-line. Neck and breast had white feather base with brown spotting/flecking which was lightest toward the front of the bird and progressed to darker barring (less white showing) from the front toward the flanks. Bird was medium brown color on the head, breast, and flanks, slightly darker from the mid-wing toward the back. Darker brown wings showed two thin white wing bars and some back wing feathering showed white or lighter color edging.

Technical information

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