floraphile 529 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 25 Feb 2021 Baldwin co. AL Good morning, All. I am trying to do better about putting in Breeding Codes, etc., when I am able to discern such. This morning, I found 8 Hooded Mergansers. Two are definitely adult males, and the others either females or a mix of immature males & females. Is it possible to sex these remaining 6 birds? If so, how? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelLong 497 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 this sounds like a job for @Tony Leukering Quote Link to post Share on other sites
floraphile 529 Posted February 25 Author Share Posted February 25 1 minute ago, MichaelLong said: this sounds like a job for @Tony Leukering lol. I'll bet he even has a cape. 😄 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aidan B 1,486 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 Eye color can tell you. Males have yellow eyes and females have brown eyes. Photo one, both immature males Photo two, immature male on the left, female on the right Photo three, Unidentifiable on the far left, female on the left. I hope I got them right! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PaulK 629 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 There was a really good discussion here: 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
floraphile 529 Posted February 25 Author Share Posted February 25 1 minute ago, Aidan B said: Eye color can tell you. Males have yellow eyes and females have brown eyes. Photo one, both immature males Photo two, immature male on the left, female on the right Photo three, Unidentifiable on the far left, female on the left. I hope I got them right! 1 minute ago, PaulK said: There was a really good discussion here: Thanks, @PaulK! I forgot to look for previous discussion on the subject. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hasan 467 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 Bill color is also often a great field mark. Notice how all the males in female-type plumage have dark bills, along with their bright eyes. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Leukering 3,315 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 First off, breeding codes are to be used ONLY on breeding grounds and ONLY during the breeding season. February is NOT the breeding season for HOME anywhere. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
floraphile 529 Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 (edited) 2 hours ago, Tony Leukering said: First off, breeding codes are to be used ONLY on breeding grounds and ONLY during the breeding season. February is NOT the breeding season for HOME anywhere. I should not have used the term. "Breeding Code" as pertains to this specific instance. My desire was to further describe the birds as far as gender. Please note the "etc." in my original post. And I thought I caught a lot of h*ll in graduate school. Edited February 26 by floraphile clarification Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Spencer 3,773 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 19 hours ago, Tony Leukering said: First off, breeding codes are to be used ONLY on breeding grounds and ONLY during the breeding season. February is NOT the breeding season for HOME anywhere. Not even 'Flyover'? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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