We invite beginners of all ages and experienced birders to our introductory walks on the first Saturday of each month. Waterfowl, passerines and raptors can all be found at Turtle Bay and the surrounding area which includes the Sacramento River and surrounding riparian habitat. The walks begin at 9am and meet in the parking lot near the Monolith structure at the South end of the Sheraton Hotel. Binoculars and field guides will be available to loan. Call Roberta Winchell, 530-945-8342, for more information.
Tag Archives | waterfowl
Eclipse of the Ducks
When most people hear the term “eclipse” they think lunar or solar. But those familiar with waterfowl understand the term might refer to the feathers, or plumage, of a duck or goose.
All birds molt, a process of dropping old feathers and growing new ones. The new feathers keep the birds in good shape for flying, keeping warm, and sometimes for breeding showiness. By the end of summer the bright feathers of spring might be difficult to recognize. Many birds molt in the fall to replace worn plumage, and then again in spring to acquire their most alluring outfits.
But waterfowl—ducks and geese—choose their mates earlier than songbirds. Ducks usually pair up by late fall, and cannot wait until spring to dress up. Male ducks, in particular, have gorgeous plumage, but in late summer all the males seem to disappear. The Sacramento River gains a steady supply of feathers floating downstream, and no male ducks are to be seen. The beautiful shining green heads of mallards vanish. The ornate wood ducks and brilliant male mergansers can’t be seen anywhere. Suddenly there seem to be many female ducks along the river, but no colorful males of these common year-round species.
There’s a scientific reason. Most birds lose a few feathers at a time, replacing them piecemeal without seriously disrupting their lifestyle. But ducks shed all of their outer feathers when they molt, including their wing feathers. For a few weeks, they become flightless. Males acquire the same camouflage as the females, a useful protection while they cannot fly. An observer can distinguish a male mallard at this time only by his slightly larger body and large, yellow bill, in contrast to her orange and black bill. Males at this hapless stage tend to gather in small groups and skulk along shores with reeds and grasses, laying low until new flight feathers develop. After those new wing feathers grow back the males enter a second molt into their bright breeding plumage. The second molt is less severe, and the ducks retain their ability to fly and escape from predators. All of this happens in timely fashion—in the fall, just before the duck dating season opens.
Female mallards, wood ducks, and mergansers are always attired in camouflage, so they only molt once—but again, it is in time to have fresh feathers for understated attractiveness when the males come looking.
Geese also molt in the fall, but they usually mate for life, and seem to dress for long-term health and beauty rather than for just a brief courting period. They do not molt all their wing feathers at once, so, although briefly disheveled, they retain the ability to fly.
Ducks and geese can often be seen preening their new feathers. They have oil glands on their rumps, which supply the waterproofing that they spread over their sleek contour feathers. The feathers have small barbs that lock their parts together, and combing them helps keep the birds smooth, warm, and attractive. Waterfowl instinctively know how important their feathers are, and do the work to maintain them.
Webster defines “eclipse” as to obscure, leave out or fail. He discusses the partial or total obscuring of one celestial body by another, making one seem less brilliant, but he makes no mention of the less brilliant plumage of male ducks in the fall. Ornithologists, however, have studied the annual phenomenon extensively. Eclipse plumage allows ducks to quickly molt into fresh breeding feathers. Understanding it solves the mystery of the disappearance of the male ducks.
Several Blue-winged Teal Were Seen at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
The Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) is not that common in California except along the coast, so we were pretty excited to discover several pair at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area on Saturday. Click on photos for full sized images.
Of course the drakes get all of the glory in the duck world but I think the females are just as beautiful in their own way with their heavily patterned feathers. This is the female Blue-winged Teal. Note the blue on the top of the beak.
Blue-winged Teal breed over a large portion of North America but occur irregularly or at low densities in many portions of their range. The highest breeding densities occur in mixed-grass prairie and parklands of north-central U.S. and the prairie provinces of Canada, where the species is often the most abundant breeding duck1.
It was a gorgeous day at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, even though it was pretty windy and fairly cold, the sun was out.
And just so you know…
these photos were all taken at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge…
from one of the photo blinds there…
not at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area.
Once every feather is clean and in place, it’s time to relax and enjoy a little shut eye.
I was able to shoot some video of the Blue-winged Teal pair preening and foraging at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. A couple of Green-winged Teal drakes shared in the activity. You will also hear several Marsh Wrens in the background. They were seen and heard all over the refuge wherever bulrush was found.
This short video shows the head shaking behavior Blue-winged Teal exhibit just before they take flight when they feel uneasy or threatened. It also includes Black-necked Stilts, Green-winged Teal, and American Coots. You can also hear Red-winged Blackbirds, Western Meadowlark and more Marsh Wrens singing.
References:1Birds of North America Online
Second Saturday Bird Walk at Clear Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
It’s been very dry this winter so early shore birds could be scarce. If we’re lucky, we may get some rain by this trip. Even so this is a fun walk with riparian and open river habitat, in addition to the ponds. Possible species include American Pipit and Greater Yellowlegs. Blue-winged Teal have been seen on occasion.
We will meet at the end of Metz Road at 8:00 a.m. George Horn will lead. Phone 524-7484. Directions to the Clear Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant are: Take Hwy. 273 South, look for River Ranch Road after crossing Clear Creek. Cross over the railroad tracks and turn left on Eastside Road, the entrance to Metz Road is on the right. Please try to be prompt, I’ll have release of liability forms that are required to be signed and there is a locked gate. Hope to see you there!
Discover Birding at Turtle Bay
Our youth/beginner bird walks are conducted on the first Saturday of every month throughout the year at Turtle Bay. Wintu Audubon can provide binoculars and field guides. Call Roberta Winchell at 945-8342, with questions or for more information.Our youth/beginner bird walks are conducted on the first Saturday of every month throughout the year at Turtle Bay. Wintu Audubon can provide binoculars and field guides. Call Roberta Winchell at 945-8342, with questions or for more information. We assemble at the Monolith parking lot next to the new Sheraton Hotel at Turtle Bay.