A morning on the Rideau (part 1)
November 24th, 2010
It was a great morning for diving ducks on the Rideau today.
For starters, the Goldeneyes are back! Not that this is new news--it's weeks-old news, in fact. But I finally got out there on a sunny morning to take pictures of them.
Most of you have heard me wax eloquent about goldeneyes before, but for the one or two newcomers: Common Goldeneyes are hardy diving ducks who regularly spend the winter in Ottawa, breeding north of us in the boreal forest. They winter on the limited stretches of the Rideau and Ottawa Rivers, usually near rapids, that remain unfrozen year-round. The mature males are black and white with a green gloss to their heads and a white cheek spot; the females are grey and brown.
Like other diving ducks, they submerge entirely underwater in search of food: members of a foraging goldeneye group will disappear and reappear every ten seconds or so, making them an exercise in patience for the bird-watcher! They forage actively even at temperatures of 30 below. They have an incredible tolerance for cold and for rough waters. They are my favorite ducks. I love their beauty and I love their strength.
There's even a bit of courtship going on--that's what the male second from the left is up to with the neck-craning. This will continue, probably, until winter really sets in, then they'll resume the festivities in March.
A total of three male Barrow's Goldeneyes have been seen mingling with the Commons. This once-rare species is becoming a more and more regular sight in Ottawa in winter, though they still only come in very small numbers--it's just that they come to predictable spots where birders know to find them. Above is a good comparison of a male Barrow's (front) and Common: you can see the different shape of the cheek spot, and the way the Barrow's' head is glossed with indigo instead of green. (If they weren't well-sunlit, both heads would look black.)
This one's a bit of a mystery. Ordinarily I'd peg it as a juvenile male Common--but if so why the all-yellow bill?
Comparison with female Common (behind).
November 24th, 2010
It was a great morning for diving ducks on the Rideau today.
For starters, the Goldeneyes are back! Not that this is new news--it's weeks-old news, in fact. But I finally got out there on a sunny morning to take pictures of them.
Most of you have heard me wax eloquent about goldeneyes before, but for the one or two newcomers: Common Goldeneyes are hardy diving ducks who regularly spend the winter in Ottawa, breeding north of us in the boreal forest. They winter on the limited stretches of the Rideau and Ottawa Rivers, usually near rapids, that remain unfrozen year-round. The mature males are black and white with a green gloss to their heads and a white cheek spot; the females are grey and brown.
Like other diving ducks, they submerge entirely underwater in search of food: members of a foraging goldeneye group will disappear and reappear every ten seconds or so, making them an exercise in patience for the bird-watcher! They forage actively even at temperatures of 30 below. They have an incredible tolerance for cold and for rough waters. They are my favorite ducks. I love their beauty and I love their strength.
There's even a bit of courtship going on--that's what the male second from the left is up to with the neck-craning. This will continue, probably, until winter really sets in, then they'll resume the festivities in March.
A total of three male Barrow's Goldeneyes have been seen mingling with the Commons. This once-rare species is becoming a more and more regular sight in Ottawa in winter, though they still only come in very small numbers--it's just that they come to predictable spots where birders know to find them. Above is a good comparison of a male Barrow's (front) and Common: you can see the different shape of the cheek spot, and the way the Barrow's' head is glossed with indigo instead of green. (If they weren't well-sunlit, both heads would look black.)
This one's a bit of a mystery. Ordinarily I'd peg it as a juvenile male Common--but if so why the all-yellow bill?
Comparison with female Common (behind).
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Mike
November 24th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Do they hybridize? Are the Barrows' looking to take a walk on the wild side, and sharing news with their friends?
ETA: Also, the home monitor shows the color difference much better than my work one!