 | |  | |  | |  |
| Winter 2012: An Outrageous Duck Visits California On December 7, 2011 an odd and elaborately plumaged duck was discovered in California at the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge. Since that time, owing in large part to the historically mild winter in California, it has remained incredibly reliable and confiding, now seen by many thousands of delighted birders from the main deck of the refuge. For most observors, it's an amazingly easy "lifer" |
The normal range of the
Falcated Duck (Anas falcata)
is eastern Asia
The name is derived from the
latin falcatus which means
"sickle shaped" describing the
large curved tertial feathers
that are generally obvious on
the males which this bird is
As this gorgeous species is
often a popular exotic captive
the origin of this bird has been
questioned but most experts
believe the condition and
behavior of this individual is
consistent with a wild bird
The species is highly
migratory in it's home range
and it is likely that it got in with
the "wrong crowd" of closely
related Gadwall or perhaps
Eurasian Wigeon and made
it's way to our fair lands in
their company
Falcated Duck (Anas falcata)
is eastern Asia
The name is derived from the
latin falcatus which means
"sickle shaped" describing the
large curved tertial feathers
that are generally obvious on
the males which this bird is
As this gorgeous species is
often a popular exotic captive
the origin of this bird has been
questioned but most experts
believe the condition and
behavior of this individual is
consistent with a wild bird
The species is highly
migratory in it's home range
and it is likely that it got in with
the "wrong crowd" of closely
related Gadwall or perhaps
Eurasian Wigeon and made
it's way to our fair lands in
their company
These photos are from our
January 4 & 12, 2012 visits
to the refuge
We spent a total of about 6
hours observing this
individual amongst all of the
typical American Ducks plus
a few uncommon ones such
as Eurasian Wigeon and
Cackling Geese
Observing observors was a
big part of the fun and many
friends and colleagues
streamed through while we
hung out on the platform
Don't believe we've ever
seen one animal make so
many people happy in such a
short amount of time
As of January 15 he's still
there but an approaching
winter storm (Finally!) may
put it on the move so if you
live in California but haven't
had an opportunity to see it,
get out there!
January 4 & 12, 2012 visits
to the refuge
We spent a total of about 6
hours observing this
individual amongst all of the
typical American Ducks plus
a few uncommon ones such
as Eurasian Wigeon and
Cackling Geese
Observing observors was a
big part of the fun and many
friends and colleagues
streamed through while we
hung out on the platform
Don't believe we've ever
seen one animal make so
many people happy in such a
short amount of time
As of January 15 he's still
there but an approaching
winter storm (Finally!) may
put it on the move so if you
live in California but haven't
had an opportunity to see it,
get out there!
One of the more enticing
aspects of the bird is the
iridescence on it's head
feathers. Constantly
shifting from a lustrous
copper or bronze to a
dazzling green or
occasionally appearing
almost black.
Absolutely fabulous!
aspects of the bird is the
iridescence on it's head
feathers. Constantly
shifting from a lustrous
copper or bronze to a
dazzling green or
occasionally appearing
almost black.
Absolutely fabulous!