ML31066561

Age and sex

Juvenile, Unknown sex - X

Tags

Multiple species

Media notes

Due to new information, I think it is less likely that the 9 ducklings we reported are Green-winged Teal and more likely they are Wood Ducks. http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30637637

Observation details

We first noticed three ducks with dark red heads on the far side of the Red Barn Pond, opposite the Saw Mill Road. Only their heads were red. Next, we noted that their specula appeared to be blue, bluish-green, or green (depending on one's color interpretation). We then noted a white spot or bar near the front of the ducks (just behind the breast on the side) and white at the tail end of the duck below dark tail feathers. The remainder of the sides and back of the ducks were grayish. The only match possible for this pattern was Green-winged teal. As best we can tell from our binoculars, there were at least 2 males in breeding plumage, and probably all 3 were adult males. We then noticed a group of 9 juveniles to the left of the 3 ducks, at some distance from them and not interacting with them. The ducklings all looked similar in size and appearance, and we could not make out one that appeared to be an adult female. First, the group of juveniles were on the left bank of the pond, moving toward us, and then they got in the water as a group and swam to the right toward the direction of the center and back of the pond. At least twice, they scooted hurriedly across the surface of the water with a burst of speed, and then they slowed down and huddled together. We thought that perhaps a snapping turtle was after them because they seemed spooked by something. When we left, we thought we still counted 9 ducklings. The ducklings were brown with one or two white spots on their sides. We propose that they are juvenile green-winged teals. We don't know why a female was not present - they seemed to be on their own. There were no other species of ducks observed at the pond. Photos are attached and we tried to zoom in but the camera is just a Nikon Coolpix. We could see the ducks much better with our binoculars than these photos show. Update 7-11-2016: Due to another birder's report of Wood Duck juveniles at this same pond one day after my visit, I think it is less likely that the 9 ducklings we reported are Green-winged Teal and more likely they are Wood Ducks. http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30637637 Looking at some online photos of wood ducklings, I see there is a stage where they have two white spots on their sides - forward and back - like the ducklings that we saw. I was unable to locate reliable photos of Green-winged teal ducklings for comparison.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX S6500

ISO

560

Focal length

205.2 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.5

Shutter speed

1/250 sec

Dimensions

4608 pixels x 3456 pixels

Original file size

6.6 MB