Four Duck Species

Young Naturalist J took this photo with four different species of duck in it. The quiz is naming all 4 species of duck and a bonus points if you can prove there are more than two species of scaup here!

HERE is an larger sized picture to help with the ID’s!

In Flight birdQUIZ

After the past two birdQUIZ’s that were hard. . . . I figured it was time to do an easier birdQUIZ for everyone. I captured this bird in flight here in New York State and thought it was a little tricky with the way the wing is blocking some of the bird! Be sure to use your field guide and make sure to look for all available field marks.

Abnormal birdQUIZ

(Click on the photo to enlarge)

This is an abnormal bird that we banded a few years ago and we needed to pull the field guide out for its proper identification. When we took it out of the mist-net we said “hmm . . . . now isn’t this different”! We took some measurements, scratched our heads and lucky had some other birds to compare it to before saying it was a “. . . . . .”!

If you found this bird out in the field . . . . what species would you think it could be?? Use your field guide and be sure to look for ALL available field marks. I figured everyone was ready for a harder birdQUIZ (but then again the last one seemed to bring in a great discussion and I thought it was easy)!

Underside birdQUIZ

Underside of the bird in flight!

Here is the underside of a bird in flight that could use your identification. I knew this needed to be a birdQUIZ after my first misidentification when I hadn’t used my binoculars (I was mainly looking at behavior). But when I finally brought my optics up . . . this bird was then correctly identify by looking at its obvious field marks.

If you saw this bird flying . . . . what would you identify it as?

 EDIT: This bird was photographed in the month of March in New York State.

Silhouette birdQUIZ

Silhouette of a bird flying!

Silhouette of a bird in New York! Be careful, this one can be tricky!

Underside birdQUIZ

I do these birdQUIZ’s to help teach your brain to look for some distinct field marks that will help you quickly identify the bird you are looking at. This is a perfect example of one of those birds who’s field marks are hidden, so you will be required to look for other clues in making its proper identification!

Camera Happy birdQUIZ

This banded bird looked right into the camera when capturing its picture (which can make this a tricky birdQUIZ).  Anyone willing to give this bird a try in its identification?

Stuck up birdQUIZ

Hint: The male is exceptionally quiet except when displaying.

 

This bird is found in many lakes, marshes, or swamps. It is often found with its tail sticking straight up in the air.