cccougar Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 The pond behind my house in the Charleston, S.C. area doesn’t have many duck visitors but today a brace of five Hooded Mergansers spent some time here. At first I thought these were all females, but some research revealed that non-breeding males look this way. I’m thinking the ones with the solid dark bills are the males and the ones with the yellowish lower bill are females. The second photo shows the two types. Am I right or wrong from the jump. Also, if they are non-breeding males are they juveniles who by next year will be rocking the Hoodies distinctive big black and white heads? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 Yes, all Hooded (although a brace is just two). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefferson Shank Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 Yes, all Hooded (although a brace is just two). He's asking whether they are nonbreeding males or females... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 5 minutes ago, Jefferson Shank said: He's asking whether they are nonbreeding males or females.. Sincere apologies to the OP, the phone rang before I had read the whole post - it was the reference to "a brace" that caught my attention. I believe the OP is correct about his IDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexHenry Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 13 minutes ago, cccougar said: I’m thinking the ones with the solid dark bills are the males and the ones with the yellowish lower bill are females. Yes Also, if they are non-breeding males are they juveniles who by next year will be rocking the Hoodies distinctive big black and white heads? Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexHenry Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 Although I’m not sure if juvenile is technically the right term for them, they are immature males Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cccougar Posted February 1, 2021 Author Share Posted February 1, 2021 Oh good, sounds like I’m correct on the non-breeding male part. It did seem odd if they were all females. So brace is just two? How about raft, paddling and flush as collectives? These terms are all from whatbird.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 When do male Hoodies get breeding colors? I certainly have them in full breeding plumage here in central SC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 (edited) 28 minutes ago, cccougar said: Oh good, sounds like I’m correct on the non-breeding male part. I jumped in way too soon because of your reference to a brace and my phone call. I am fairly sure you have immature males and adult females here. I am also fairly sure adults should be in breeding plumage now. Edited February 1, 2021 by RobinHood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 @lonestranger and @RobinHood here's your eye color comparison! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cccougar Posted February 1, 2021 Author Share Posted February 1, 2021 Yes Charlie I photographed males recently elsewhere in Charleston (pictured). I guess what I saw today were youngsters or immatures as another respondent said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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