Red-Winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Appearance: males and females have different coloration Males (left) are completely black except for red-yellow patches on their wings during summer; during winter patches fade into a yellow-orange stripe (top right) Females (bottom right) are streaked with light and dark brown, save for a small red patch on their wings near the shoulder, stocky body,…

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

Appearance: white head and belly, light grey back and wings,black wingtips spotted with white, yellow beak and legs, dark black ring on beak near nostrils, in winter has brown speckles on back of head Male is larger than female, but no significant difference in coloration Length: 17-20 inches (about 1.75 feet) Wingspan: 41-46 inches (almost…

Common Merganser (Mergus Merganser)

Appearance: sexual dimorphism – males are larger, look like females except during breeding season – red beak and legs, brown head with ragged crest, white chin and chest, gray and white back, large white patches on upper wings (visible in flight) During breeding season males have green heads, mostly white, black stripe down back –…

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)

Appearance: sexual dimorphism throughout year Breeding males have green crested heads highlighted with black cheeks and white stripes, red eyes, yellow/orange beak, chestnut plumage on neck, sandy plumage on sides, black backs, white undersides, gray underwings, blue patches on wings Nonbreeding males have gray plumage Females have faded brown plumage with darker brown backs, white…

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Appearance: heavy bodies, short black legs, long S-shaped neck, flat orange beak with bulging black knob at base, white plumage No difference in coloration between sexes, but male is larger During breeding black knobs on males’ bills swell while females’ do not, but this difference is seasonal Height: 50 to 68 inches (about 4 to…

Canadian Goose (Branta canadensis)

Appearance: black head with white cheeks, black beak, black s-shaped neck that straightens in flight, dark brown fish-scale pattern on back, sides vary from brown to brown-striped white, brown to white belly and breast, black rump and tail with white “u” marking, dark webbed feet No significant differences between males and females Canadian geese are…

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus

  Appearance: owl-like face; long, rounded tail with white band; small, sharply hooked beak; yellow legs with large talons, broad wings Males have gray heads and backs, black-tipped wings, white undersides, and black bands along wings and tail while females have brown heads and backs, white undersides streaked with brown, and brown bands along wings…

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Appearance: sexual dimorphism during breeding season, male looks like female during winter: gray-brown with black mottling on body, black stripes on head, orange and black beak, orange legs, blue-purple patch of feathers with black and white borders on wings During breeding season, males have iridescent green head, white stripe on neck chestnut brown neck and…