I briefly birded Radio Road on my way home from work on Wednesday, and although it was very windy, the birding was pretty good.
Anyone know what species of duckling this is?
In the main (southern) pond were the most ducklings I have ever seen – there must have been well over 100 of them! Many were Mallards, judging by the adults they were hanging with, but several looked different, and weren’t with their parents, so I don’t know whose chicks they are.
This little one’s bill looks a little large to be a Mallard. Pintail?
A lone Black Skimmer made a pass over the ponds before lying down on the levee between them, and a hundred or so Willets noisly chattered and preened on a sandbar.
Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
Several adult Black-crowned Night Herons were next to the road, and farther away I saw a couple of juveniles in the trees, blending in much better than the dozen or so Snowy Egrets also perched there.
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)
Otherwise it was the usual mix of Avocets, House Finches, Blackbirds, Gulls, and a bunch of highly-mobile Barn Swallows.
American Avocet (Recurvirosta americana)
As I left, two Turkey Vultures soared overhead, a bird I don’t often see on the western shores of the SF Bay, although they’re quite common on the coast and farther inland.
Birds seen (21 species):
– American Avocet
– American Crow
– Black Skimmer
– Black-crowned Night Heron
– Black-necked Stilt
– Brewer’s Blackbird
– Canada Goose
– Caspian Tern
– Cinnamon Teal
– Cliff Swallow
– Common Raven
– Gadwall
– House Finch
– Mallard + many dozens of chicks
– Northern Mockingbird
– Northern Pintail
– Ring-billed Gull
– Ruddy Duck
– Snowy Egret
– Turkey Vulture
– Willet
You seem to be missing seeing the blue-winged teal. There are a couple that hang out on the long island on the south side.
I’m not positive about that duckling, but given who’s been nesting, the most likely ducks to have kids are the mallards, northern pintails, and probably the cinnamon teals. With the black beak, maybe it’s a teal.
Really nice photos, Adam! You do such a great job with the birds!
I really don’t know my ducks at all. But you sure captured some very nice shots!
Thanks, Chuq, Montucky, & Winterwoman!
You’re right, Chuq, I keep looking for the BW Teal, but have yet to see them. I keep my eyes open, though, as they’d be a lifer for me. One of these days….
Great work Adam, really like the avocet.
I love your finch photo! You seem to capture colors that I’ve never seen on these guys – not even with binoculars beautiful! I also love that blackbird shots – tho Sibley’s guide has great drawings there’s nothing like seeing a beautiful photo to etch in my memory for id’ing later. Beautiful shots – as usual!
So many amazing photos Adam! I love the baby duck photos! So many birds on that list would have been lifers for me! Ugg, I need to travel out west one of these days!
Thanks, Bernie, Aullori & Monarch!
Aullori, although most House Finches have red(ish), some are much more yellow, reportedly due to their diet.