Buffleheads: Late March Spring Migration through Northern Illinois

A Bufflhead in its winter grounds, Phoenix, IL;  12/26/09.

Bufflheads are fun to watch, but for me, extremely hard to photograph. I have taken many pictures of Buffleheads over the past year, but have never been happy with any of them. Because the snow white back of its head contrasts drastically to its dark reddish - green face, crown and neck, my camera has a hard time determining the correct exposure.  If I try to compensate for the bright white patch at the back of the head, I lose the beautiful irridescent colors on the rest of the head. If I try to expose for the colors, then the white patch and body looks like a fireball and is way over exposed (Above). Also they are a frenetic diving bird, disappearing under the water and reappearing on the opposite side of the lake very quickly.

A pair of Buffleheads at Regents Park, London, England, UK; 4/10/10.

The first time I saw a Bufflehead was a couple of years ago during winter while I was visiting Arizona (Top) and was fascinated with them. Then I saw a few a year ago while spending a week in London (Above). But this Spring starting in mid to late March, they have been migrating through Northern Illinois in small to large flocks (known as a "brace", "flush", "paddling", "raft", and "team"). They have been present in Rock Cut State Park (Three bottom pics) for almost month. Plus I have seen them at Nygren Wetlands Preserve (Rockton), at North Pond (Chicago's Lincoln Park), and on the Mississippi River on the Illinois / Iowa border. Just last week I saw a brace of Buffleheads at Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin (Below). Their white body contrasts with their dark head, which depending on how the light hits it, they look black, or the forehead looks green, while the neck has a reddish irridescence to it. Then sometimes the red and green tints appear just the opposite.

A Pair of Buffleheads at Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, WI; 4/24/2011.

Two male Buffleheads while fighting over the rights to a female, show off
their black and white markings, Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 3/26/11.

Buffleheads spend their summers exclusively in Canada and Alaska, while in winter they can be found throughout the Southern half of the U.S. and will spread north to the southern edges of the Great Lakes (Save Superior) and along both the Atlantic Seaboard and Pacific Coast and south into Mexico and Central America.

A Bufflhead sticking its landing for a perfect"10" in Pierce lake,
Rock Cut State Park; 3/27/11.

A Bufflhead on takeoff in Pierce lake, Rock Cut State Park; 3/27/11.

Red-breasted Merganser; Late March Spring Migration through Northern Illinois

Red-breasted Merganser, Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL; 10/30/2010

Another diving duck that migrates through northern Illinois during the great spring migration is the Red-breasted Merganser. During the winter this duck can be found along all the saltwater coastal states of the Atlantic, the Gulf and the Pacific. It will spend its summers in northen Canada and Alaska. To get there, they need to cross through Illinois, but since they prefer saltwater over fresh water, they don't stay long. So it is not easy to spot these Mergansers on their northward trek. I haven't yet seen any in the Rockford area, but last fall I did see a few in the South Pond of Lincoln Park in Chicago. Unfortunately, by that time they already lost their breeding plumage, which is very beautiful with a black head with a shaggy crest and bright red bill, gray flanks with black and white wings and reddish brown breast (Below courtesy of Marie Read). In their non breeding plumage (Above) their head becomes tannish brown and their wings are less dramatic, but they keep their crest. A flock of these Mergansers are known as a "brace", "flush", "paddling", "raft", and "team" of ducks.

A Red-breasted Merganser in its breeding plumage. Photo courtesy of http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-breasted_Merganser/id & Marie Read.

Horned Grebes:Late March Spring Migration birds through Northern Illinois

A trio of Horned Grebes taking a rest stop at Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 3/31/11.

I added a new bird to my "Life List" in late March when I spotted three Horned Grebes (Above) on Pierce lake in Rock Cut State Park.  These very brightly marked grebes are another diver, and they spend the winter on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and southeast U.S.  During the Spring migration they will make their way to their summer grounds in western Canada and Alaska. So it is fortunate that in late March this trio appeared on Pierce Lake in Rock Cut State Park and stayed for two straight weeks. Since then, others have joined them (or replaced them). In fact last week there were still many of these Grebes at Rock Cut State Park. A flock of Grebes is known as a 'water dance.' I don't know who comes up with these names, but they are very entertaining.

In their breeding plumage, Horned Grebes have a very striking black head and bill with a bright yellow mask that stretches across to the back of the head and feathering out into a pair of "horns." Its red eyes and lores match its reddish body that contrasted with dark gray scaled back. Its colors give them some unusual names in bird folk lore; including "Devil-diver", "hell-diver", "pink-eyed diver", and "water witch."

A good look at the Horned Grebe's striking colors, Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 3/26/11.

The Horned Grebes winter plumage is less striking as it loses its yellows and reds. So it is very cool to see them in their glory. They will show off their "horns" to attract a mate (two photos Below). Last weekend while hiking in Rock Cut State Park, I saw an unusually large water dance of between 20 and 30, and several were showing off their "horns" (Below 2nd photo).

A water dance of Horned Grebes, Rock Cut Sate Park, Rockford, IL; 3/27/11.

A good look at this Grebe's "Horns" as it is in its heightened state of attracting a mate for the spring, Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 4/23/2011.

\

I caught this great reflection pic of these turtles, while stalking birds at Rock Cut State Park; 4/9/11.

 When I saw two turtles sunning themselves on one log sticking out of a pond at Rock Cut State Park, I inadvertently startled another turtle who was on a log closer to me. The closer turtle then swam out and climbed onto the back of the other two (Above). Someday when I have a slow birding day, I'll show you the series of photos of the 3rd turtle swimming out and climbing onto the log and subsequently onto the back of the middle turtle.

Ruddy Ducks: Late March Spring Migration through Northern Illinois

A small flock of Ruddy Ducks in winter plumage; Phoenix, AZ; 12/26/09.

Ruddy Ducks (female left, male right) in breeding plumage, Rock Cut State Park, IL; 4/23/11

Ruddy Ducks are a unique little diving duck with a large head for its size (only 15" in length). Ruddies travel in tightly clustered flocks and are a common sight in Northern Illinois ponds, lakes, and sheltered bays during spring Migration. They usually do not mix or travel with other species. They winter in the southern half of the U.S., along all the coastal regions and into Mexico, Central and South America (Top photo while they were intheir winter home in Aizona). They will migrate to their summer homes of the North Central Plains States, into Canada and parts of Alaska. They reach Northern Illinois around late March. Flocks of Ruddies have been on Pierce Lake in Rock Cut State Park (Above)  for a several of weeks this Spring. In fact I was there yesterday, and was lucky to get some nice shots of the Ruddies. They usually stay well away from the shore if they see people, but yesterday a couple of them didn't shy away as I approached.

They will be found year round in the Rockies to the Pacific Coastline and down into the Baja Peninsula as well as much of Mexico. However, there are pockets along the Midwest and Great Lakes where Ruddy Ducks will stay all summer and not even bother migrating further North or West. North Pond in Chicago, and Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Preserve in Wisconsin are two such areas. I am planning on travelling north to Horicon Marsh today (Easter Sunday), perhaps I'll see some more Ruddies there.

A male Ruddy Duck in its winter plumage, Phoenix AZ; 12/27/09.

The first time I saw Ruddy Ducks was while I was in Phoenix, Arizona, in the December of 2009, and they were in their winter plumage (Above).  At the time I didn't know what they looked like in their summer breeding plumage. They turn a beautiful; reddish "ruddy" brown, contrasted dramatically with a black head and tail (which is often lifted in a vertical position), snow-white cheek and a bright blue bill (very appropriate Easter color). The first time I saw this was this Spring while exploring the North Pond in Lincoln Park, Chicago (Below).  Then several times at Rock Cut State Park (Below 2nd photo).

The male Ruddy Duck in all its breeding plumage glory, with its signature
 lifted black tail, North Pond, Lincoln Park, Chicago; 3/30/11.

Male Ruddy Duck, Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 4/23/11.



A female Ruddy Duck, North Pond, Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL; 3/30/11.

A female Ruddy Duck just reemerged from a dive, Rock Cut State Park,IL; 4/23/11.

Female Ruddies (Above) are less colorful with a brownish gray body, and a darker back, head, and tail. They will also have a whitish cheek, but not as snowy white as the males, but will have an added dark stripe across its cheek. Their bills do not turn bright blue as the males.


 Next weekend I will continue my series featuring Spring Migration birds of Northern Illinois: Buffleheads, Red-breasted Mergansers, and Horned Grebes. Hope you can visit.

Canvasbacks: Late March Spring Migration through Northern Illinois

The beautiful male Canvasback in its winter home, Phoenix, AZ; 12/29/09.

The Canvasback (Above) are another waterbird that uses Northern Illinois as a stop through while migrating from its wintering grounds to its summer home in Northwestern U.S, Western Canada and Alaska. It spends winter along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as the southern third of the U.S., Mexico and Central America. It's a beautiful white-bodied bird with a striking red neck and head. The very top of the head and long bill are black as is its tail. Its bright red eyes shine brightly against its darker head. The females' bodies are light grayish brown and its neck and head are pale tannish color, but keeps the long black bill as its male counterpart.

I have seen Canvasbacks as early as late March through late May in several lakes: Rock Cut State Park, Bauman Park, and Nygren Wetlands Preserve.  Each time I have seen a Canvasback it's always been by itself or sometimes travelling with another species of duck. Yesterday, I posted a pic of a Canvasback hanging with some Greater Scaups. In the photo (Below) this female was hanging with a group of Mallard ducks.

This female Canvasback was seen with a flock of Mallards in Bauman Park, Rockford, IL; 5/16/09.

Lesser & Greater Scaups: Late March Spring Migration through Northrn Illinois

A sunset at Rock Cut State Park in Rockford; A great place to go birding in Northern Illinois; 4/9/11.

A mix of Greater Scaups and Lesser Scaups on Pierce Lake; Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 3/26/11.

By late March another wave of birds were making appearances throughout Northern Illinois. The vast majority of this group were waterbirds arriving on area ponds, lakes, and marshes. Within the last week of March, I have seen lots of new arrivals: Hooded Mergansers, Wood Ducks, Blue-winged Teals, Scaups* (both Greater & Lesser), Ruddy Ducks*, Canvasbacks*, Buffleheads*, Pied-billed Grebes, Horned Grebes*, Double-crested Cormorants*, Black-crowned Night Herons, and Red-breasted Mergansers*. Non-water birds also showing up were Ospreys*, Eastern Phoebes, Chipping Sparrows, and Turkey Vultures.

* These birds are migrating through, not making Northern IL their summer home.

In my series about birds migrating through Illinois (not spending the summer in N. IL) on their way to their summer haunts, this weekend and next weekend, I'll features photos of some of these birds*: Scaups, Canvasbacks, Ruddy Ducks, Horned Grebes, Buffleheads, Red-breasted Mergansers, and Ospreys.

A Lesser Scaup can be distiguished from its Greater cousin by its smaller size,
its smudgy flanks, and taller head, Suguaro Lake, AZ; 12/29/09.

Another look at the Lesser Scaup, Suguaro Lake, AZ; 12/29/09.

I am not exactly sure about making positive identifications between Greater and Lesser Scaup, as they look almost identicle, especially from a distance. Lesser Scaups are smaller at 16 1/2" long; whereas the Greater Scaups are larger at 18" long. Unless they were next to eachother for comparison, I would not be able to tell them apart. However, two other traits that one can look for is that the Lesser Scaup's flanks (Above) are smudgier and the barring is more coarse. The Greater Scaup's flanks are clean white with no marks.The Lesser's head is taller and narrower than the Greater's, which appear to be lower and a flatter arc. Otherwise both birds have blackish heads and breasts, bright yellow eyes, blue bills, and white flanks and belly. In flight the Lesser Scaup has less white on its wings (Below). Both female species (Below) also look similar with brownish/grayish bodies, darker brown breast, head and wings, blue-gray bill and white along the base of the bill.

A pair of Lesser Scaups (male on left, female on right),
Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 3/31/11.

Lesser Scaups in flight, Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 3/27/11.

Greater Scaups and a female Canvas Back, Nygren Wetlands, Rockton, IL; 4/10/11.

In the photo (Above), two traits make me think these are Greater Scaups and not Lesser's. The flanks of the Scaups are cleaner with no smudges on the white flanks, and the tops of their heads seem to be slightly flatter than the Lesser's head (2nd & 3rd pics from top). Plus the size of these Scaups is closer to the size of the Canvasback (which can grow to 21" long) that is swimming with them, so the Greater's length of 18" is more likely than the Lesser's 16.5" length.

Lesser Scaups are far more commonly seen than the Greater Scaups. During winter months, Lessers can be seen throughout most of the southern half of the U.S. as well as along both coasts. In summer they will be found throughout  most of  Alaska, Western and Central Canada, most of Ontario, and parts of extreme northern Quebec and Newfoundland. Greater Scaups can only be found along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts in winter ( and a strange pocket along the southern Mississippi River in Arkansas). In summers they migrate to the very northern sectons of Canada (Yukon, Northwest Terrirorries, Nunavit) and Alaska. Greater Scaups are more likely to be found on saltwater than Lesser Scaups.

Cinnamon Teal at North Pond, Chicago

This male Cinnamon Teal has been hanging around North Pond,
Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL; 3/30/11.

Since early spring a Cinnamon Teal has been spotted at North Pond in Lincoln Park, Chicago. This is quite rare, since it is a western bird, and is well out of its typical migratory range of the southern plains states (Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska) and its summer territories of the Rockies and and west to the Pacific Coast. It does spend its winters in Mexico and Central America, so speculation is that it lost its way during a storm. As you can see (Above) it is a beautiful bird - the male with its dark reddish head, breast, and flanks, contrasted with dark brown and light brown wings and tail and large bill for its overall size. If you would see it in flight, it would have pale blue coverts (on the wings). The Teal seems somewhat confused about where he is and perhaps who he is, as he has been witnessed chasing after a female Mallard, which is quite comical as the Mallard is quite a bit larger (23" long) than the Teal (16" long).

Another view of the Cinnamon Teal, North Pond, Lincoln Park, Chicago; 3/30/11.

In the photo (Above) you can see the blue color on its coverts. Even with the tail in a shadow, I liked this picture because The Cinnamon Teal's bright red eyes are glowing in the sunlight.