Bird ID

[Larry Shuman]

I got this image a couple of days ago at a local marsh. I think it might be a Gadwall female but my Sibley's does not show a good image of females flying.

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[jeffnles1]

female gadwall would be my guess based on the photo but a lot of hen ducks look very similar.

 

[jcgamble]

I send my tough IDs to https://www.facebook.com/groups/BirdIDgroupoftheworld/ . They are excellent and very knowledgeable. Give them a location and date to help them narrow down the choices. They do better with excellent photos like yours. Gadwall looks like a good choice to me.

 

[GrandNagus50]

It would be helpful to know the location, but my guess would be female Mallard

 

[Larry Shuman]

I send my tough IDs to https://www.facebook.com/groups/BirdIDgroupoftheworld/ . They are excellent and very knowledgeable. Give them a location and date to help them narrow down the choices. They do better with excellent photos like yours. Gadwall looks like a good choice to me.

They don't really ask a real question. I'm confused.

 

[BillW]

You might also try the Merlin app from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. It’s free and has birdpacks from around the world (also free). It includes photo ID and sound ID that can be very useful.

Just running a screen shot of your photo through the Merlin photo ID app (without entering a location — adding location can increase the accuracy of photo ID), Merlin’s first choice was a gadwall, presumably female. Second choice was a northern pintail, again presumably female.

 

[Larry Shuman]

Thanks I first thought the Sibley's book was correct andI think it was. Thanks again.

 

[cchuck]

With dark bill and black rump, it looks like a Gadwall male. The female would show yellow on the bill and lack the black rump showing on undertail. Plus, the plumage detail on the throat and breast looks beady, not splotchy, I've attached photo of male and female in flight from Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

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[GrandNagus50]

Gadwall has whitish rear patches on the wing. The patches on this bird have the right shape for Gadwall but they look bluish to me. Larry never told us where the photo was taken; it is relevant.

 

[Larry Shuman]

It was at Magee Marsh close to Lake Erie in Ohio

 

[GrandNagus50]

Ok, location doesn't set off any bells for me, but I now agree with those who suggested Gadwall, but for whatever reason the wing patches appear a bit bluish.

 

[Larry Shuman]

That's because digital color shade is blueish.

 

[Joe Donahue]

It's all about the black and whites when it comes to duck ID. No doubt about it being a Gadwall.

 

[Ken Miracle]

Gadwall male I have photographed a number of them over the years.

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