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DUCKS

© Mazhar Ali

DUCKS 1.TUFTED DUCK SIZE: duck, length 45 cm (18 in) FEILD CHARACTERS: Boldly contrasting black and white plumage, limp occipital tuft, white wingmirra (speculum) and bright yellow eye identify the drake. Brown replaces the black portions in the duck. In flight, BI-colored plumage pattern and broad white trailing edge of wing diagnostic. STATUS, HABITAT, ETC: Transitory. Small number seen in high elevation lakes and tarns while on migration. Recorded up to 5300 m. FOOD: water weeds, crustaceans, etc, produced by deep diving.

2.GOOSANDER OR MERGANSER SIZE: duck, length 70 cm (28 in0 FIELD CHARACTERS: Male, in flight general effect black and white, with dark green in distinctly crested head and neck, thin blood-red bill and legs. Female, similar but head cinnamon-brown with glistening white throat, back grayish brown, conspicuous black and white wings. Identifying in flight by elongated Grey body, rufous head, white throat, broad whitish wing-patch, slender neck and thin blood red bill and legs. STATUS, HABITAT, ETC: Many breed in the northern Tibetan faces, chiefly whiter visitor. Small parties on clear, rapid streams, more commonly in the foothills but also the upper reaches, locally to at least 3000m. Food: mainly fish caught by diving. Parties often hunt in coordination. Flight: rapid, usually close above the water surface, almost clipping the turbulent ripples.

3. LARGE CORMORANT SIZE: Duck, length 80cm9 32 in). FIELD CHARACTERS: A glistening white, fish eating water bird. Superficially rather duck-like but with narrow hook-tipped bill and longish stiff tail. Large size, hoary crested head and neck9 pepper and salt), white throat with a bright yellow gular pouch, and white oval patches on thighs diagnostic in flight and at rest. Non-breeding plumage almost wholly blacks; thigh patches absent; throat and gular pouch less conspicuous. Young has much white on underside. Small parties and flocks swimming low in water and diving for fish, or resting on midstream rocks in upright position, wings spread out to dry. STATUS, HABITAT, ETC: Resident, and summer-winter altitudinal migrant. Affects rivers, streams and transup to 2000m.

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