ML491579651

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Missed this bird on my first scan of the pond. It was partially obscured by aquatic vegetation, sitting just above the water with wings extended. Long neck in an "S" position, straight, pointed bill, whitish wing coverts over black flight feathers and black body, brownish head and neck. Had a dispute with a Great Egret and slid into the water, disappearing behind the vegetation. Just before I left it was back up drying its wings on a raft of vegetation. Since this site is so infrequently birded outside of duck season, it's hard to know how long the bird has been here. I don't believe this is a first county record, but I don't see any in eBird. Plumage notes, added 10/10: I've looked through photos and at skins in the NMNH collections now. I think it's likely this is an immature bird of unknown sex. Adult females in all seasons seem to have a narrow reddish band just at the base of the neck between the brown and black plumage. From others' photos, especially Fred Shaffer (e.g., https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/491642421), it doesn't look like this bird has that band. Worth scrutinizing future photos, though, if there are any. Iris color is supposedly different by age, but even good photos in Macaulay make it seem like there is a fair amount of variation in this character.

Technical information

Dimensions

1046 pixels x 710 pixels

Original file size

211.94 KB