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Oxyura jamaicensis

This little duck is known by almost 100 different names in the areas where he is found. But no matter what you call him or where you find him, he is distinctive. No other duck except the Masked Duck, which is found in the West Indies, has the stiff tail which often is carried erect and fanned like a miniature sail. The male has a black or blackish-brown crown and nape, depending on the season, whether breeding or winter. The bright-blue bill, rich reddish-chestnut body and white cheek patch make the male a beautiful bird in breeding plumage. In winger the male assumes the grayish-brown coloring of the female, both showing the light cheek patch with darker crown and nape. The head, neck and feet are large for so small a bird.

Author

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Introduction to Our Bird Friends, Volume 2, by Lenwood Ballard Carson
Published 1957

Posted on

Wednesday 8 July 2020

Dimensions

624*602

Tags

Birds

Albums

• Natural History / Birds

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