Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
A relatively small diving duck with a tall peaked crown. Males are handsome with glossy black head and back, clean gray sides, and a brighter white spur on the side. Females are grayish-brown, often with a paler patch at the base of the bill and a white eyering. Both sexes have a white band near the tip of gray bill. Also note gray, not white, wingstripe in flight. Usually favors small bodies of water, such as beaver ponds and cattail marshes, but also occurs on larger lakes, rivers, and bays. Can be found in mixed flocks with other diving ducks, although usually in smaller numbers than scaup. Compare with both species of scaup and Redhead (especially females).
Identification
Ring-necked ducks are small to medium-sized diving ducks with the following length, weight, and wingspan measurements:<p>The adult male is similar in color pattern to the Eurasian tufted duck, its relative. Males are a little bit bigger than the female. It has two white rings surrounding its gray bill, a shiny black angular head, black back, white line on the wings, a white breast and yellow eyes. The adult female has a grayish brown angular head and body with a dark brown back, a dark bill with a more subtle light band than the male, grayish-blue feet and brown eyes with white rings surrounding them. Females also make a noise like trrr. The cinnamon neck ring is usually difficult to observe, which is why the bird is sometimes referred to as a "ringbill".
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Aythya collaris
- Authority
- (Donovan, 1809)
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Aythya
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- NA : widespread
- Non-breeding range
- MA
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Sitta canadensis
Small, cute, energetic nuthatch. Distinctive with bold black-and-white head pattern, blue-gray upperparts, and orangey belly. Males are brighter than females. Typically found in coniferous or mixed forests, often in mixed flocks with other songbirds. Creeps along tree trunks and branches, often upside-down. Nomadic; they sometimes move south in large numbers in fall and winter. Visits feeders. Listen for nasal calls.
Orange-bellied Euphonia
Euphonia xanthogaster
Small finchlike bird, compact and short tailed. Generally yellow below and dark blue-back above with stout, short bill. To identify male euphonias, focus on the crown and throat: Orange-bellied has yellow cap and dark throat, as well as slightly orange-yellow belly. Females extremely difficult to separate from other euphonias but often seen in pairs or small groups with males. Frequents open forested habitats, edges, and gardens. Can form mixed feeding flocks with other species such as warblers and tanagers.
Rufous-collared Kingfisher
Actenoides concretus
Brilliantly colored but often elusive and difficult to spot in the gloom of the forest. Male is bright blue above and orange below with a green cap. Female replaces male’s blue with cream-spotted green. Broad black, blue, and orange stripes across the face distinguish this species from other kingfishers in range. Whistles pleasantly and persistently, often while perched low above the forest floor in shaded areas.
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