transitioning

Ruddy Duck Drake – What A Difference 20 Days Makes

By Mia McPherson|December 18th, 2023|Categories: Birds, Ruddy Ducks, Salt Lake County, Utah|Tags: adult, autumn, bill color, blue bill, diving ducks, drake, duck, ducks, fall, male, molt, nonbreeding plumage, Oxyura jamaicensis, park, pond, Ruddy Duck, transitioning, urban, water|

Just 20 days can make a big difference in the way this Ruddy Duck drake looks. His bill is a lot bluer now than it was when I first saw him at my local pond.

Ruddy Duck Drake Close To Home

By Mia McPherson|January 17th, 2023|Categories: Birds, Ruddy Ducks, Salt Lake County, Utah|Tags: adult, breeding plumage, diving ducks, drake, duck, ducks, male, Oxyura jamaicensis, pond, Ruddy Duck, transitioning, urban, water, winter|

The last time I was at my neighborhood pond I spotted a Ruddy Duck drake out in the middle of the water who was starting to transition into breeding plumage.