4 replies to this topic

[panoramix]

We were crossing Hood Canal in Washington State, 28 July 2012 about 10 AM. Here are two photos, one with two birds, one cropped to show the lead bird.

Looking at whatbird, they resembled White-Winged Scoters, but the beak is wrong color, and no color around the eye. The Ring-necked and Tufted Ducks should have more white, I think, and should not have a black beak. Any ideas?

Attached Files

•  UnknownDucks.jpg   985.13K   40 downloads
•  OneUnknownDuck.jpg   985.13K   36 downloads

[TheBillyPilgrim]

These actually aren't ducks, but a type of Alcid called a Pigeon Guillemot. Great find!

[psweet]

Agreed -- neat bird!

[panoramix]

nifty! Thanks so much! As you can see, one of my pictures is a duplicate of the other (I and my picture editing software have an uneasy relationship...). But you folks were able to figure it out anyway. That's exciting! My wife took the pictures, and we figured it was some kind of duck. But I never thought of alcids, among other things.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

No problem! Welcome to Whatbird!