Hi Tweets

Bill Ward writes:

>Did I really see Northern Shovelers?

Yep, you did, Bill. They're a common bird in western Cascadia as north and
southbound migrants, as wintering residents, somewhat less so as breeding birds.

You might also notice that where you do find shovelers that many if not most
seem to be females in the drabber brown plumage. Actually, Northern Shoveler
males don't spend very long in their Alternate ('display') plumage that you
describe but instead are in Basic ('eclipse') plumage most of the year. Take
a close look at the eye: bright yellow on the males, brown on the females.

>Is the field
>guide a little off, as one hears they are?

More often that it may be out of date rather than incorrect: bird
populations are very dynamic, changing according to many factors, including
habitat alteration and population increases/decreases.

>Or do I need to write a
>hundred times: "Hey, dumby, you are looking at a Mallard"?

Well, doubt is a good tool: may I suggest you substitute instead " A green
head alone does not a Mallard make!" and write it out only, say, two or
three times. And be easier on yourself: you'll learn this stuff faster.

May I further suggest that you get a copy of Waterfowl by Madge and Burn? It
covers the entire world by families and has virtually all the plumages of
any waterfowl we're likely to run into here except downy young patterns.
Excellent resource. Pretty soon you'll be calling most of them like a pro.

>Thanks in advance, and good birding!

Yep!

Michael Price A brave world, Sir,
Vancouver BC Canada full of religion, knavery and change;
mprice at mindlink.net we shall shortly see better days.
Aphra Behn (1640-1689)