photog46 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Sighted 9/22/21 in southern Maine on a small freshwater lake. I believe they are female and immature Hooded Mergansers (lower mandible is yellowish on female, body mostly brownish on both), but could they possibly be female and immature Red-breasteds? The bills seem to me too dark and thick for RB's. Sorry the pictures are not ideal--the birds were a bit far away for my lens, the day was overcast, and the birds were pretty backlit. Is the last picture a female Merlin (sighted hunting at same lake)? Thanks for any help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan B Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 The mergansers are Hooded, I can't help on the sex of the Merlin, but I can confirm it's a Merlin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Hooded Mergansers and a female or immature Merlin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 The Hooded Mergansers are imm (R in pic 1-2), and a basic-plumaged or young male (L in pics 1-2). The eye color is pale, though not yet the bright yellow of the adult male, and there are hints of pale feathers molting in behind the cheeks. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photog46 Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share Posted September 23, 2021 Thanks to all! I learn so much from these posts and enjoy looking at other people's posts as well (sometimes I see if I can identify the bird in someone's post and then check my answer against the knowledgeable people who respond). 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 1 minute ago, photog46 said: (sometimes I see if I can identify the bird in someone's post and then check my answer against the knowledgeable people who respond) That's how I learned so much in such a small amount of time. The folks on this forum are so helpful. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 25 minutes ago, photog46 said: (sometimes I see if I can identify the bird in someone's post and then check my answer against the knowledgeable people who respond). 18 minutes ago, The Bird Nuts said: That's how I learned so much in such a small amount of time. The folks on this forum are so helpful. I used to do that too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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