Wintering ducks
Recently, a blast of very cold arctic air converted much of Canada and the United States into icy, snow-covered landscapes. Up north, lots of open water is now frozen, and many ducks migrated south, into our region. Of course, this happens every year around this time, as the region’s bar charts illustrate (for example, take a look at Belize). Now is a perfect time to look for wintering ducks!
Redhead (Aythya americana) is a North American diving duck that commonly winters in Mexico, but it rarely reaches Central America, let alone southern Central America. This winter season though, Costa Rican birders have already reported this species from three different locations (here, here and here), and it seems likely that there are others waiting to be found elsewhere in Central America. Lake Yojoa in Honduras has hosted this species in previous years, as has Lake Petén Itzá in Guatemala, and Lake Güija on the border between Guatemala and El Salvador. Wintering ducks often return to the same locations, and anyone interested in finding a Redhead this winter is advised to scan through rafts of ducks in these places. Other lakes in the region that each winter host significant numbers of diving ducks – such as Laguna de Chanmico in El Salvador – should also be checked for Redheads. Adult males in alternate plumage are relatively easily identified, with their rounded red heads, blue bills, black breast and vent, and gray body. Females are drabber and less distinctive, but note overall pale warm-brown plumage (paler than scaup), round head, eye ring, and lack of any contrast in the plumage. See http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Redhead/id for photos and further identification tips.
And let’s not forget the dabblers. Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) are by far the most common visitor to the region, but good numbers of American Wigeon (Anas americana) and Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) also show up each winter. A few weeks ago, thousands of American Wigeon arrived at Lake Yojoa in Honduras, and who knows, perhaps the hybrid American x Eurasian Wigeon that was observed there a year ago, could also be among them. Another uncommon dabbler to look for is the tiny Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca). Usually found in shallow waters, often in the company of the much more common Blue-winged Teal. Compared to Blue-winged Teal, note smaller size, darker coloration, and prominent buffy streak on the undertail coverts.
We’ve had some great winters for ducks in recent years, and it looks as if this season is shaping up to be another good one. We hope you’ll help us document patterns of duck distribution and abundance by visiting lakes, marshes and other wetlands and submitting your observations to eBird.