A great variety of ducks have been pouring through Connecticut in the last month. Visiting any open coastal location inevitably leads to some excellent sightings of a bunch of species. The Housatonic River has some terrific spots to find birds like this “headless” individual.
I feel like not seeing the head of this bird still makes for an easy identification…but that may because I know what it is. Huh? It can be disconcerting to try to identify a species when you cannot even see any part of the neck or head. There is something in our minds that turns it into a confusing effort.
However, if you look at the body, noting the feather color and “style” of this bird you should be able to figure it out. There is a bunch of drab and brown or dark ducks in the eastern U.S. but the white patch helps as does the contrasting black near the rear.
Does this work?
That is a Gadwall (Anas strepera)! This guy was resting and preening with some additional Gadwall as well as American Black Ducks, Mallards and Green-winged Teals while American Coots, Red-breasted and Hooded Mergansers swam around nearby. It may stay in Connecticut and breed locally or keep moving through. Either way I appreciated the opportunity to have a comfortable close-up view of the subtle beauty of the species.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Photos © Scott Kruitbosch
