5 replies to this topic

[Reddragon]

Took this picture at Gateway wildlife refuge in Queens NYC in late aug...Duck in forefront is a eclipse male mallard....several in pic...a female mallard...however in upper right corner of pic is a duck with yellow eyes...reddish legs...broad flattish bill with black patch behind bill....obvious late summer plumage but cannot id duck..any help would be appreciated...............................Paul

http://www.flickr.co...ricoloredheron/

[Clip]

5 is a night hawk and 6 I think is a turkey vulture.

[RustyE]

I'm thinking Northern Shoveler in Fall plumage. As far as the ID's from Clip on the other birds, I agree with Night Hawk and Turkey Vulture.

[Indybirder]

Agree with Northern Shoveler, but I think it's an eclipse male.

[RustyE]

Agree with Northern Shoveler, but I think it's an eclipse male.

Question... My NatGeo NA does not say or use the word eclipse. What does this mean when used for a bird ID?
EDIT: I found the word usage. It refers to male ducks after breeding plumage taking on a more female look.

Oh, and I forgot to say the field mark I used which was the bill shape and orange line on the lower bill.

[psweet]

Northern Shovelers are rather unusual among our ducks, in that once they molt into their eclipse plumage, some males will spend several months molting out of it, instead of the relatively short period that most male ducks manage it in. So in the winter, you'll find Shovelers in some very odd looking plumages.