ML212307301

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

A male found here by Stuart Angerer on 26 Feb and seen by multiple observers since that time. I was able to observe the bird intermittently for about one hour this morning, as it foraged in the shallow water and mud with a number of Green-winged Teal and other ducks. Viewing conditions were pretty good - I watched the duck with a spotting scope at a distance of 50-100 meters with the early morning sun, partially hidden by clouds, slanting in from the left of my position. The duck was often partially hidden by low berms and vegetation, so my total actual viewing time was probably about 5-10 minutes. This was a small dabbling duck appearing slightly larger than the nearby Green-winged Teal and smaller than Cinnamon Teal. The head was the most striking part of the bird, a dark brown color with a prominent thick white stripe extending from the supraloral area back over the top of the eye (appearing to intersect the top of the eye) and onto the nape. The breast, femoral area and undertail coverts were mottled brown, while the flanks were a bright silvery color with a continuous white line just superior and posterior to the silver coloration. The scapulars were prominent and presented a contrasting black and white striped pattern, although I had trouble telling which color was on which parts of each feather. The bill and legs were dark gray or black - though mud discoloration might have played a part. I did not see the bird in flight or with the wings stretched and I did not hear it vocalize. I took numerous digiscoped photos (attached).

Technical information

Model

TG-4

ISO

200

Focal length

15.4 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/4.5

Shutter speed

1/160 sec

Dimensions

1583 pixels x 836 pixels

Original file size

1014.79 KB