Jim W Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 I took these pictures at Moraine Lake in Banff NP on August 26. The duck was foraging along the edge of the lake in the shallows. It wasn't skittish and didn't seemed bothered by me and several other hikers taking it's picture (maybe 20-30 feet away). It was a small duck, I would guesstimate 13-16 inches. The only thing I can come up with is Bufflehead. The bill looks right as well as the small overall size of the bird. However, there are a few things that seem off: Nat Geo says Buffleheads have steep foreheads, this duck's forehead seems pretty shallow to me. But maybe that is because it's head is wet? The white stripe that is supposed to be behind the eye goes all the way to the bill. But maybe that is just molting? Most pictures I've seen shows a light colored breast. This bird has a darker breast. I found very few pictures that showed Bufflehead's feet and these all appeared orange. My bird's appear greenish. However, the pictures I found were all breeding males, so maybe females and/or eclipse have darker feet? Any thoughts? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 I going to fearlessly display my ignorance again and say this isn't a duck. The feet don't appear webbed in the third photo. I don't have access to AAB at work, but is this maybe a grebe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfinmt Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 (edited) This may be a juvenile Harelquin Duck. The white on the cheeks does seem to vary somewhat on juveniles, this one having more white than typical. Edited November 12, 2018 by sfinmt misspelling 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Yes, looks good for a young Harlequin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 (edited) Great bird, always love seeing them. Have yet to see one though in a freshwater environment, despite time searching in Montana. Edited November 12, 2018 by blackburnian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim W Posted November 12, 2018 Author Share Posted November 12, 2018 Thanks all, great help! 👍 I had taken a look at Harlequin, but I had discounted them because the facial pattern did not match an adult female. My resources (Nat Geo, Allaboutbirds) are pretty silent on juvenile and immature Harlequins. Looking back, Harlequin resolves several of the issues I listed above (breast/belly, feet, head shape). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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