WILDFOWL IDENTIFICATION

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Sea Ducks
Many sea ducks winter along the coasts and have developed specialized salt glands to allow them to tolerate salt water. In the breeding season they may lay their eggs further inland by lakes, streams and rivers, because the young take time to develop their ability to tolerate salt water.

The following Sea Ducks are found at WWT Slimbridge: -

Bufflehead (WWT Slimbridge May 2014) - pic by Nigel Key
Bufflehead (WWT Slimbridge May 2014) ©Nigel Key
Eider (WWT Slimbridge March 2014) - pic by Nigel Key
Eider (WWT Slimbridge March 2014) ©Nigel Key
Goldeneye (WWT Slimbridge May 2017) - pic by Nigel Key
Goldeneye (WWT Slimbridge May 2017) ©Nigel Key
Merganser (WWT Slimbridge April 2011) - pic by Nigel Key
Merganser (WWT Slimbridge April 2011) ©Nigel Key
Hooded Merganser (WWT Slimbridge  20) - pic by Nigel Key
Hooded Merganser (WWT Slimbridge November 2017) ©Nigel Key
Smew (WWT Slimbridge May 2012) - pic by Nigel Key
Smew (WWT Slimbridge May 2012) ©Nigel Key



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SEA DUCK IDENTIFICATION

To aid identification we shall compare various significant parts of the Sea Duck:-

The Head, Bill & Eyes
Bufflehead (Head, Bill & Eyes) - pic by Nigel Key Eider (Head, Bill & Eyes) - pic by Nigel Key
Bufflehead
Eider
 (Head, Bill & Eyes) - pic by Nigel Key  (Head, Bill & Eyes) - pic by Nigel Key
Goldeneye
Merganser
Hooded Merganser (Head, Bill & Eyes) - pic by Nigel Key Smew (Head, Bill & Eyes) - pic by Nigel Key
Hooded Merganser
Smew



The Breast & Body
Bufflehead (Breast & Body) - pic by Nigel Key Eider (Breast & Body) - pic by Nigel Key
Bufflehead
Eider
Goldeneye (Breast & Body) - pic by Nigel Key Merganser (Breast & Body) - pic by Nigel Key
Goldeneye
Merganser
Hooded Merganser (Breast & Body) - pic by Nigel Key Smew (Breast & Body) - pic by Nigel Key
Hooded Merganser
Smew



The Tail
Bufflehead (Tail) - pic by Nigel Key Eider (Tail) - pic by Nigel Key
Bufflehead
Eider
Goldeneye (Tail) - pic by Nigel Key Merganser (Tail) - pic by Nigel Key
Goldeneye
Merganser
Hooded Merganser (Tail) - pic by Nigel Key Smew (Tail) - pic by Nigel Key
Hooded Merganser
Smew
Photos copyright of ©Nigel Key
Click for larger image






OVERVIEW

Bufflehead.
Has an irridescent Black head and upper neck with a large White patch from the eye round to the back of the head creating a crest. The bill is Blue/Grey and the eyes are Brown. The upperparts are Black, lower neck and underparts are White. The legs and feet are Pink.

Eider.
A Black head with White cheeks and a Green/Grey nape. The breast and upperparts are White, the flanks Black, a Black rump and tail. The distinctive bill is Green/Grey and the feet and legs are Olive Green.

Goldeneye.
A Green/Black head with a round White patch on the cheek in front of a Deep 'Golden' Yellow eye and a Black bill. The neck, breast, belly and flanks are White. The tail and back are Black with White scapulars. The legs and feet are Orange/Yellow.

Merganser.
A Black iridescent Green crest, head and neck, Red hooked bill, Black upperparts, White Breast with a Salmon/Pink tinge and flanks, White underparts wirh a Grey tail and rump. The feet and legs are Red/Orange.

Hooded Merganser.
The Hooded Merganser has a black head with a large white patch from behind the yellow eye to its bushy crest which can be expanded or contracted. The neck and back are black with a black band across a white breast, reddish-brown flanks, and a thin black bill.
Smew.
Has White plumage, a Black eye patch down the the dark Grey bill, a White crest with Black at the base. The back rump and wings have Grey/Black markings and the sides are light Grey with dark vermiculations. The legs and feet are Grey.

Now that we have identified the Sea Ducks, where can we find them at WWT Slimbridge?

They can be found in the following Zones: -

Bufflehead. - North America Zone.

Eider. - Tundra Zone.

Goldeneye. - Tundra Zone.

Merganser. - Tundra Zone.

Hooded Merganser. - North America Zone.

Smew. - Tundra Zone.


Did You Know?
The Bufflehead is named from 'Buffalo' and 'Head' due to its oddly shaped bulbous head.
The Eider duck was farmed for the down which was used for making quilts resulting in the term 'eiderdown'.
The eyes of the Goldeneye are Grey/Brown when hatched and turn to Purple, Blue and then Green as they age. By the time they have matured their eyes have become bright Yellow.
The Merganser has serrated edges to their bills helping them grip their prey resulting in their name 'sawbills'.
The Hooded Merganser has a third clear eyelid which allows prey to be caught by sight whilst swimming under water.


Related Links:-


Crane Identification

Dabbling Duck Identification

Diving Duck Identification

Flamingo Identification

Geese Identification

Sea Duck Identification

Shelduck Identification

Shoveler Identification

Swan Identification

Whistling Duck Identification




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