What sorts of geese can you discover in Massachusetts?
Who doesn’t love geese? Head to nearly any water habitat, and you might be more likely to see a minimum of a couple of swimming round.
I believe you’ll be amazed at what number of duck species are present in Massachusetts!
For people who find themselves solely ever used to seeing the widespread Mallard, this checklist must be extremely eye-opening! The geese featured beneath are commonest and most definitely to be noticed. In actuality, the whole checklist of geese which may be seen in Massachusetts is even bigger!
Right here is how the remainder of this text is organized: (Click on the hyperlink to leap to that part!)
Dabblers are these geese that feed by sticking their head underwater and leaving their tails pointing up as they graze on the assorted greens and invertebrates within the shallows. Nonetheless, that isn’t the one approach that they eat. As winter ends and the snows begin to soften, they are going to eat seeds and the leftover waste grain present in farm fields.
Diving geese utterly submerge themselves underwater to seize aquatic vegetation from the underside or chase meals, similar to fish or invertebrates. They’ve tailored narrower, pointier, and total smaller wings, that are excellent for swimming underwater. Consequently, these geese sometimes lack the flexibility to easily take off from the floor just like the dabblers and it’s widespread to see them operating alongside the floor to construct up sufficient velocity to get airborne.
Dabbling Geese
#1. Mallard
Easy methods to determine:
- Males have a shiny inexperienced head, skinny white collar, darkish reddish-brown chest, yellow invoice, and a black rump with a white-tipped tail.
- Females are mottled brown with orange and brown payments.
- Each sexes have purple-blue secondary feathers on their wing, which is most seen when they’re standing or flying.
My guess is that nearly everyone seems to be conversant in the Mallard. These geese are positively the commonest species in Massachusetts!
Mallard Vary Map
Mallards are extraordinarily snug round individuals, which is why these adaptable geese are so widespread. They’re present in nearly any wetland habitat, irrespective of the place it’s positioned. We even discover Mallards in our swimming pool each summer time and need to chase them away, so that they don’t make a large number on our deck! 🙂
Mallards readily settle for synthetic buildings constructed for them by people. You probably have a pleasant pond or a marsh, be happy to place up a do-it-yourself nesting space to take pleasure in some lovable ducklings strolling round your property! Simply be sure you put up predator guards so predators can’t get to the eggs.
While you consider a duck quacking, it’s nearly inevitably a feminine Mallard. If there’s a higher duck sound, we haven’t heard it! Curiously, males don’t quack like females however as a substitute make a raspy name.
#2. American Wigeon
Easy methods to determine:
- Compact geese with spherical heads. Blue-gray payments which are tipped in black.
- Males are largely brown however have a particular inexperienced band behind their eyes and a white crown.
- Females have brown our bodies total, with a grayer-colored head.
American Wigeons are quite a few, however they like quiet lakes and marshes away from individuals. Their weight-reduction plan consists of a better proportion of plant matter than different geese and can even go to farm fields to feed, much like geese. Their brief invoice supplies numerous energy to assist pluck vegetation with ease!
American Wigeon Vary Map
Since they’ll scare simply when approached, probably the greatest methods to see these geese in Massachusetts is to pay attention for them! Males give a 3-part nasal whistle (whew-whew-whew) at any time of the 12 months, which form of feels like a kazoo (heard beneath)! Females don’t whistle, however they do produce a harsh grunt quack.
#3. Gadwall
Easy methods to determine:
- Males have an intricate sample of grey, brown, and black feathers, which appear to be white-fringed “scales.” Brown head and darkish gray or black invoice. The again is roofed with medium and darkish brown feathers. Males have a darkish invoice.
- Females are mottled shades of brown with a darkish orange-black invoice. Look much like feminine Mallards.
- Each sexes have a white patch (a lot smaller on females) on their wings, seen when flying.
Gadwalls are straightforward geese to miss in Massachusetts! In contrast to most different species, males don’t sport any patches of blue, inexperienced, or white plumage. Search for them in small ponds which have a number of vegetation.
Gadwall Vary Map
Gadwalls have a humorous behavior of stealing meals from diving geese upon surfacing, with American Coots being their favourite sufferer! This conduct is seen extra typically in the summertime, the place animal matter could make as much as 50% of their weight-reduction plan, whereas it drops to round 5% in winter. Submerged aquatic vegetation is their main meals supply.
For those who hear somebody burping and also you’re close to water, then it could be a male Gadwall. Their brief, reedy calls are sometimes described as “burps.”
Females quack and sound much like Mallards, besides it’s only a bit extra excessive pitched.
#4. Northern Pintail
Easy methods to determine:
- Slender geese with lengthy tails and necks and a pale black-gray invoice.
- Males have a cinnamon-brown head, grey our bodies, and a white throat and breast.
- Females have plain, tan heads and rufous-brown plumage on their our bodies.
Northern Pintails have an extended neck that exaggerates their extraordinarily pointy tail (therefore the title) when in flight. Even when floating on water, its tail stands out farther from its physique than its head. Non-breeding males and all females have shorter however nonetheless outstanding pintails.
Northern Pintail Vary Map
The perfect place to seek out these geese in Massachusetts is wetland habitat away from individuals. Wildlife refuges are excellent locations to begin. They have a tendency to stay to shallower areas close to the perimeters of lakes and ponds. Curiously, they’re additionally proficient at strolling on land, so that you’ll discover them cleansing farm fields of barley, wheat, rice, and corn leftovers.
Males have a singular name, which sounds a bit like a practice whistle. Females utter low-pitched quacking “kuk” notes.
Northern Pintails solely migrate at evening and are unbelievable flyers! Throughout migration, they attain speeds as much as 48 mph (77 kph), and the report for longest continuous flight is 1,800 miles (2,900 km)!
#5. Northern Shoveler
Easy methods to determine:
- Males have reddish-brown flanks, inexperienced heads, a white chest, black backs, and yellow eyes.
- Females are brown, and typically you may see a bluish shoulder patch.
- Each sexes have distinctive payments, that are massive and large!
For those who solely look on the inexperienced head, informal observers in Massachusetts may by accident suppose these geese are Mallards. However one search for shut, and it is best to discover the ENORMOUS spoon-shaped invoice, which is what Northern Shovelers are identified for, and the way they acquired their title.
Northern Shoveler Vary Map
They use their massive invoice to shovel and sift by mud and sand to seek out tasty tidbits like crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic bugs which are buried. Curiously, their invoice has over 100 tiny projections on the perimeters referred to as lamellae that assist filter out the meals they need to eat.
Males make a guttural “took-took” sound throughout courtship, when alarmed, and in flight. Females make a nasally sounding quack.
An fascinating conduct noticed with Northern Shovelers is their capability to “group up” to seek out meals. Flocks of them will typically swim in circles collectively to assist fire up meals!
#6. Blue-winged Teal
Easy methods to determine:
- Males have a head that is bluish with a white band in entrance of the attention. Black invoice and black wings. Physique is brown with black spots.
- Females have brown our bodies. Search for a darkish eyeline and crown on their head.
Blue-winged Teals are present in shallow wetlands throughout Massachusetts. These geese get their title due to the gorgeous blue shoulder patch that’s solely seen whereas in flight! Simply as fairly is the inexperienced plumage beneath the blue on the wing.
Blue-winged Teal Vary Map
Consider it or not, these stunning waterfowl are the second most considerable duck in North America, behind solely (you guessed it) the Mallard. Blue-winged Teal are a well-liked species for hunters, though the variety of geese that may be taken per 12 months is monitored carefully to make sure the inhabitants stays sturdy.
Males produce a excessive whistled “tsee-tsee.”
#7. Inexperienced-winged Teal
Easy methods to determine:
- Males have chestnut-brown heads and a inexperienced ear patch. Stunning gray-barred our bodies with vertical white stripes on both sides.
- Females have a darkish eye-line and are mottled brown all through.
- Each sexes have a inexperienced patch on their wing, which is seen in flight and more often than not when resting.
Inexperienced-winged Teals are the smallest dabbling geese you’ll find in Massachusetts. They’re solely 12-15 inches (31-39 cm) in size and weigh between 5 and 18 ounces (140-500 g).
Inexperienced-winged Teal Vary Map
These birds typically journey and hang around with different species. Look carefully for the smallest duck in a blended flock, and there’s a good probability it’s a Inexperienced-winged Teal. Even females, which look much like feminine Mallards, ought to stand out as a result of they’re noticeably smaller!
Inexperienced-winged Teal populations have elevated in Massachusetts by the years, despite the fact that they’re the second most hunted duck within the nation. Fortunately, since they breed within the very northern elements of North America, their breeding vary hasn’t suffered the identical habitat loss that different species have encountered.
Males give a brief, clear, repeated whistle, which is a singular sound for a duck in the event you ask me! Females typically give a sequence of quacks at any time of the 12 months.
#8. Wooden Duck
Easy methods to determine:
- Males have very intricate plumage. Search for the inexperienced crested head, crimson eyes, and chestnut breast with white flecks.
- Females have brown our bodies with a grayish head, which can also be barely crested. White teardrop eye patch and a blue patch on the wing.
Walt Disney used to say that “the world is a carousel of coloration,” and few waterfowl have taken this extra to coronary heart than the male Wooden Duck. Actually, it seems to be like an artist used each coloration to color a duck that has inexperienced, crimson, orange, lime, yellow, buff, rose, brown, tan, black, white, grey, purple, and blue coloring.
Wooden Duck Vary Map
This is likely one of the few duck species in Massachusetts you may even see in a tree! Wooden Geese use deserted tree cavities for nesting, however additionally they readily take to elevated nesting containers.
When hatchlings depart the nest for the primary time, they typically need to make an enormous leap of religion (as much as 50 toes) to the bottom beneath! You must watch the video beneath to imagine it. 🙂
Curiously, Wooden Geese are completely developed for his or her life spent in timber. Their claws are highly effective, which permits them to perch and grasp onto branches!
The commonest sound heard from Wooden Geese is when they’re disturbed. I’ve typically by accident come across them solely to listen to them flying away saying “ooeek-ooeek” loudly!
#9. American Black Duck
Easy methods to determine:
- Each sexes have a darkish brown physique that contrasts in opposition to their pale brown head.
- Males have a yellow invoice. Females have a boring olive invoice.
- Whereas flying, search for an iridescent purple rectangle on their wings.
American Black Geese have a reputation that doesn’t describe them very effectively. You’ll suppose they might appear to be the Warner Brothers character Daffy Duck, however in reality, they don’t have any black on them!
American Black Duck Vary Map
These geese are present in Massachusetts in shallow wetlands, the place they typically forage with Mallards. American Black Geese and feminine Mallards look extremely related, so make certain to look carefully at massive flocks for them!
Males make a flutelike whistle when attempting to draw a mate. Females utter loud “quacks.”
#10. Eurasian Wigeon
- Eurasian wigeons are small and cute geese.
- Males have russet heads, bronze chests, and black and white our bodies.
- Females are golden brown, with darkish brown particulars on their feathers.
These geese are RARE guests to Massachusetts!
Because the title suggests, you’d usually spot Eurasian Wigeons in Europe and northern Asia.
Eurasian Wigeon Vary Map
However typically, they get misplaced throughout their large migrations in spring and fall. It’s throughout winter when it’s potential to identify Eurasian Wigeons! Search for them hidden amongst flocks of American Wigeons.
Over the winter, Eurasian Wigeons settle in a variety of habitats, together with elevated lakes, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, and sheltered seas.
In late winter, males begin competing to court docket females. Males have a really distinctive name, which they use to whistle loudly on the feminine. In addition they raise the information of their wings to draw consideration. See and listen to them in motion within the video beneath!
#11. Muscovy Duck
- Domesticated geese which are heavy-set. Males might be double the dimensions of females.
- Typically white and black, with darkish inexperienced plumage across the wing space.
- Outstanding crimson wattling is normally current across the invoice and face.
Wild Muscovy Geese are native to the American continent. Nonetheless, wild Muscovy Geese are unlikely to be noticed in Massachusetts. For those who see one in all these geese, it’s probably a domesticated particular person who escaped!
This species was one of many first duck species to be domesticated. They had been stored by individuals in South America and later exported to the European continent. The unique Muscovy Geese have given rise to a variety of domesticated breeds by selective breeding.
Muscovy Duck Species Vary Map
Domesticated Muscovy Geese are usually massive and heavy birds. Crimson wattling across the face, and outstanding knobs of wattling above the beak, are very noticeable in domesticated birds. Native Muscovy Geese are rather more slender and athletic of their construct than domesticated people.
You’ll most definitely see Muscovy Geese in Massachusetts on farms and in parks. Feral populations additionally exist in pockets throughout North America. Escaped home Muscovy Geese typically breed with different species, producing sterile offspring.
Diving/Sea Geese
#12. Bufflehead
Easy methods to determine:
- Small geese with massive heads.
- Males have white chests and flanks and a big white patch on their heads. Darkish again. Iridescent purple-green plumage on their face.
- Females are largely brownish with a darker head. Search for the distinctive white cheek patch.
It’s exhausting to misidentify these hanging geese when seen in Massachusetts. They spend as much as half their time foraging underwater, in search of aquatic invertebrates and crustaceans, which they eat whereas nonetheless submerged. After they dive, be affected person and hold scanning across the space for these small birds to resurface.
Bufflehead Vary Map
Buffleheads are choosy nesters, and they’ll ONLY lay eggs within a cavity. They nearly solely use holes that had been excavated by Northern Glints, and occasionally, Pileated Woodpeckers. They’re dropping nest websites attributable to logging, however they do take readily to correctly put in nest containers.
Total, Buffleheads are extra silent than different geese. In late winter to early spring, it’s potential to listen to the males make a squeaky whistle.
#13. Canvasback
Easy methods to determine:
- A comparatively massive diving duck with a black breast, black tail, and a pale grey physique. Their heads are wedge-shaped and slope right down to their lengthy, darkish invoice.
- Males have red-brown heads and crimson eyes.
- Females are duller total, with a brown head and black eyes.
Canvasbacks are massive diving geese that hardly ever ever go to dry land. Actually, they even sleep whereas floating and construct their nests in plenty of floating vegetation!
Canvasback Vary Map
These geese are omnivores that eat all the things from bugs and mussels to plant tubers and seeds. They will dive as much as 7 toes deep, in search of aquatic vegetation, which they rip off with their sturdy payments.
These largely silent geese have had their populations fluctuate over the past 100 years. Lack of huge quantities of wetland habitat to growth triggered a decline in numbers, together with the lack of their main meals supply (wild celery) disappearing in lots of locations. However total, their inhabitants has remained regular for the reason that Nineteen Eighties.
#14. Ruddy Duck
Easy methods to determine:
- Breeding males are blue-billed, white-cheeked, with a black cap and again of the neck, main right down to its chestnut-colored physique. Stiff black tail is often erect.
- Females are tawny delicate brown, besides the darker cap. Females (and nonbreeding males) have a black, scoop-like invoice.
Ruddy Geese are probably the most fascinating geese present in Massachusetts!
First, the males which are of their breeding plumage are unmistakable and appear to be no different duck. It’s exhausting to overlook their shiny blue payments and intensely thick necks.
Ruddy Duck Vary Map
Males even have a singular approach of attracting females. They are going to beat their invoice in opposition to their neck so exhausting that it forces air by the feathers, which creates a swirl of bubbles within the water, which I assume the ladies discover engaging? To complete off this show, they emit a belch-like sound!
Ruddy Geese are significantly better swimmers than flyers. After they really feel threatened by a predator, they a lot want to dive and swim away than taking to the air.
#15. Redhead
Easy methods to determine:
- Each sexes have a steep brow main right down to their black-tipped grey invoice.
- Males have a particular cinnamon-red head with yellow eyes. Grey physique and black chest.
- Females are brownish total with a paler face. Has darkish eyes.
In Massachusetts, Redheads are among the many extra sociable geese you’ll find, particularly in winter. It’s widespread to see them gathered collectively in monumental flocks, typically hundreds sturdy, in comparatively massive lakes. Due to their gregarious nature, they’re simply drawn to decoys, making them a well-liked sport species for hunters.
Redhead Vary Map
Curiously, feminine Redheads observe a little bit of brood parasitism, which suggests they are going to lay a few of their eggs within the nests of different duck species and allow them to increase these hatchlings! Their favourite species to focus on embrace Mallard, Canvasback, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, and American Wigeon. What’s fascinating is that additionally they construct their very own nests and lift these hatchlings themselves. Discuss taking part in the chances!
Males make a cat-like “whee-uogh” or “keyair” name when attempting to court docket a feminine. When threatening one other Redhead, the males additionally emit a low, trilling “rrrrr.”
#16. Ring-necked Duck
Easy methods to determine:
- Medium-sized duck with a peaked head. Each sexes have a grey invoice with a white band and a black tip.
- Males have a shiny black head, chest, and again with gray sides. Yellow eyes.
- Females are brownish birds with a gray face and throat. Search for a little bit of white round and behind their darkish eyes.
In fact, the Ring-necked Duck has a horrible title for identification functions. You’ll suppose there could be an apparent ring round their neck, however you’d be mistaken! The so-called ring on their black necks is such a pale brown that it’s practically unimaginable to identify from any distance.
Ring-necked Duck Vary Map
In contrast to most different diving geese, these birds are inclined to inhabit and go to SHALLOW ponds and wetlands in Massachusetts. In the course of the breeding season, you’ll normally solely discover two of them collectively, however in winter, they collect in flocks that quantity into the hundreds of birds!
They’re probably the most probably geese to eat leftover shotgun pellets, making them vulnerable to steer poisoning. Lead shot was banned in 1991, which has helped their inhabitants numbers, however some outdated ammo nonetheless stays in wetlands throughout Massachusetts.
#17. Frequent Goldeneye
Easy methods to determine:
- Males have a darkish inexperienced head, a shiny yellow eye, and a particular white cheek patch. The physique is generally white with a black again and rump.
- Females have a brown head, a brief darkish invoice with a yellow tip on the finish, and a pale yellow eye. Search for their white neck collar and grayish our bodies.
Frequent Goldeneyes are skilled diving geese in Massachusetts. These birds can keep underwater for as much as a minute in size as they seek for their prey, which incorporates aquatic invertebrates, fish, and fish eggs, together with seeds and tubers from submerged vegetation.
Frequent Goldeneye Vary Map
Fortunately, their inhabitants has remained sturdy and steady. One among their greatest threats is that they’re cavity nesters and rely on forestry practices that don’t reduce down useless timber. Many devoted individuals have put up subsequent containers of their breeding vary to assist present extra enough nesting spots.
Hunters generally confer with the Frequent Goldeneye because the “whistler” due to the distinctive whistling noises their wings make when flying. Each men and women are usually silent geese besides throughout courtship.
#18. Hooded Merganser
Easy methods to determine:
- Small duck with an extended, slender invoice.
- Breeding males have an unmistakable massive black crest that has a big white patch on both sides. Yellow eyes.
- Females have darkish eyes and are brown total with a barely lighter coloured crest, which just about seems to be like a mohawk. Nonbreeding males look much like females, besides they’ve yellow eyes.
Look-wise, Hooded Merganser’s are one in all my favourite birds. Seeing a breeding male with its massive black and white crest erected is a wonderful sight. Search for these geese in shallow ponds and rivers in summer time, whereas in winter, they transfer to unfrozen lakes or bays.
Hooded Merganser Vary Map
Their lengthy, skinny invoice is serrated, which helps them catch small fish, crayfish, and aquatic bugs. Their meals is nearly all the time swallowed entire, no matter dimension. They hunt underwater by sight and have imaginative and prescient variations that permit them to see fairly clearly when submerged.
Females have an fascinating conduct the place they could lay a few of their eggs within the nests of different Hooded Mergansers. Whereas every chicken can lay as much as a dozen eggs, nests have been discovered with greater than 40 eggs in them, making one duck work loads tougher than a number of others.
#19. Crimson-breasted Merganser
Easy methods to determine:
- Slim geese with lengthy our bodies and necks and an extended, skinny invoice.
- Breeding males have a darkish inexperienced head with a spiky-looking crest. Cinnamon-colored chest and crimson eyes.
- Females and non-breeding males are greyish brown total.
Crimson-breasted Mergansers breed in boreal forests throughout a lot of North America, the place they are often discovered on many inland lakes. Throughout winter, these sea geese migrate south and spend most of their time simply off the coast, though it’s potential to seek out them in nearly any massive, unfrozen physique of water.
Crimson-breasted Merganser Vary Map
Fish are their main meals supply, and they should eat roughly 15-20 per day to produce their power calls for. To catch this quantity of fish, it’s estimated they should make about 250 dives per day! Generally they are going to assist one another out, and people will work collectively to herd minnows to shallower water, which makes the fish simpler to catch.
Do you know that birds that primarily eat fish sometimes style horrible? Due to this truth, Crimson-breasted Mergansers, and the opposite merganser species present in Massachusetts, should not normally hunted. It’s additionally the explanation you don’t discover anybody attempting to eat a penguin!
#20. Frequent Merganser
Easy methods to determine:
- A pretty big duck that has an extended, slender orange invoice with a black tip and darkish eyes.
- Breeding males have a largely white physique, a black again, and a mallard-like inexperienced head.
- Females and non-breeding males sport a cinnamon-colored head and a grayish-white physique.
As a consequence of their skinny invoice, Frequent Mergansers stand out pretty simply from most different geese in Massachusetts. Their favourite meals is fish, which they catch with the assistance of their serrated invoice, however additionally they bask in aquatic invertebrates similar to crustaceans, mollusks, bugs, and worms.
Frequent Merganser Vary Map
Frequent Mergansers are so good at fishing that many different geese attempt to steal from them after they floor. Actually, it’s widespread to see flocks of seagulls following them, hoping to grab a straightforward meal. Even Bald Eagles have been identified to rob them of their hard-earned fish!
Naturally, these geese nest in tree cavities that woodpeckers have carved out. Curiously, new child ducklings are solely a few day outdated after they leap from the doorway to the bottom, at which level the mom will cause them to water, they usually catch all their very own meals instantly.
#21. Lesser Scaup
Easy methods to determine:
- Males have yellow eyes, a shiny black head, and a chest and rump that contrasts with the speckled grey again and white sides.
- Females are darkish brown total with a good darker head. Search for a shiny white patch across the base of the invoice.
Lesser Scaups are probably the most considerable diving duck in North America. With that being stated, it is probably not straightforward to see one in Massachusetts! They’re largely present in massive lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries, the place they’ll collect by the hundreds. In winter, they collect carefully by the hundreds, and from afar, it seems to be like a big mass of floating vegetation.
Lesser Scaup Vary Map
Lesser Scaups and Better Scaups look extremely related. One of the best ways to inform them aside is to have a look at their head. Lesser Scaups have a extra tall peaked head, the place Greaters have a extra rounded head.
These geese are usually silent, and it’s uncommon to listen to them. Females are a bit extra vocal than males and make quite a lot of guttural scolding barks and grunts.
#22. Better Scaup
Easy methods to determine:
- Males have yellow eyes, a inexperienced head, a darkish chest, and a rump that contrasts with the speckled grey again and white sides.
- Females have a chocolatey-brown head and heat brown physique. Search for a shiny white patch across the base of the invoice.
- Each sexes have massive blue-grey payments with a black tip.
For those who get an opportunity to see a Better Scaup in Massachusetts, please know that you’re watching a duck that spends its summers breeding extraordinarily far north within the arctic. Some people even go throughout the north pole into Europe!
Better Scaup Vary Map
These birds are nearly all the time seen in massive our bodies of water, the place they congregate in massive numbers with different Better Scaups. They give the impression of being virtually similar to Lesser Scaups, and it’ll take some observe to inform the distinction between the 2 species.
Better Scaups are wonderful diving geese, they usually usually go down 20+ toes to seek out aquatic vegetation or invertebrates to eat. These geese are largely silent, besides throughout breeding season, the place you might hear males give a delicate, nasally whistle.
#23. Harlequin Duck
Easy methods to determine:
- Small duck with a brief darkish grey invoice.
- Breeding males have a darkish blue physique with rust-brown patches on their sides. Daring white spots on their neck and physique and a white facial crescent.
- Females have brown our bodies which are paler beneath. White spots behind the invoice and eyes.
Harlequin Geese could be probably the most breathtaking duck you’ll find in Massachusetts. First, the coloration on breeding males is spectacular, and it seems to be like they had been painted with stunning blues, chestnuts, and whites.
Harlequin Duck Vary Map
However probably the most fascinating factor about this species is the intense locations the place they select to dwell. They breed and lift their younger primarily alongside fast-moving rivers. In winter, they transfer to rocky ocean shores that obtain a number of wind and huge waves.
X-rays of Harlequin Geese present the punishment their our bodies take as they get tossed round in these excessive areas. Nearly each particular person has a number of healed fractures that they dwell with!
In contrast to many different sea geese, they’re fairly vocal. However the humorous factor is that they make a really un-duck-like noise, which sounds extra like a squeaking mouse than your typical quack. This uncommon noise has led to their nickname, “Sea Mouse.”
#24. Lengthy-tailed Duck
- Each men and women look very completely different in summer time vs winter.
- Males have lengthy tails, however females all the time have brief tails.
Lengthy-tailed geese reside in very chilly habitats, dwelling and breeding across the rim of the Arctic Circle. Because of this the most effective time to see these geese in Massachusetts is throughout wintertime after they migrate south.
Lengthy-tailed Geese are seafaring birds with sturdy diving capabilities. They will typically be noticed in coastal waters or different saltwater environments, together with estuaries and brackish waters. They will often be seen in massive, deep, inland freshwater lakes.
Lengthy-Tailed Duck Vary Map
Lengthy-tailed Geese propel themselves underwater utilizing their wings, which is their secret to diving as deep as 200 toes (60 meters)! They dive to hunt for small fish, mollusks, and crustaceans to eat.
#25. Surf Scoter
- Males are black throughout however with white eyes and white patches on the top!
- Males’ payments are strikingly coloured with white, yellow, and crimson.
- Females are brown however equally formed to the males.
Surf Scoters are massive seafaring birds that go north in spring to spend their summer time breeding in Alaska and northern Canada. Throughout this time, Surf Scoters usually tend to be discovered on freshwater lakes than by the coast.
{Couples} are shaped alongside the migration route, and the males defend a fringe round a feminine on arrival. As soon as the ducklings hatch, they’re typically by accident swapped between moms as they swim on the crowded lake!
Surf Scoter Vary Map
After finishing their southward migration, Surf Scoters spend winter in shallow coastal waters or estuaries. They dive to hunt for invertebrates similar to mussels. These geese are discovered alongside the coastlines of Massachusetts.
#26. Black Scoter
- The male has completely black plumage with no white patches.
- The male’s invoice is black on the bottom however vibrantly orange and bulbous above.
- The feminine is a delicate brown coloration however with massive white cheek patches.
When Black Scoter males are courting a feminine, they compete in opposition to many others for the feminine’s consideration. The males make a sing-song, whistling name and attempt to appeal to consideration with head-shaking shows that exhibit their shiny invoice.
They might additionally make brief flights or raise their our bodies by flapping their wings. They finish this present of dimension and energy by dramatically dipping their heads. Try the video beneath to see them in motion!
In the summertime months, Black Scoters might be present in northern Canada and Alaska. It’s a social, seafaring duck that’s wonderful at searching mussels.
As soon as their winter plumage comes by, Black Scoters migrate southward, and the flocks unfold far and large throughout North America! They like shallow seawater habitats with rocky or sandy bottoms, the place they’ll catch a number of crustaceans and mollusks to eat.
Black Scoter Vary Map
#27. White-winged Scoter
- White-winged Scoters are massive geese. They’re the largest of the scoter species.
- The male is black with white secondary flight feathers and eye patches.
- The feminine is darkish brown with white secondary flight feathers and cheek patches.
White-winged scoters spend their summers in northern Alaska and Canada, dwelling round freshwater lakes and consuming bugs. They dwell in breeding pairs from mid-Might however could nest as shut as 10 toes (3 m) to different pairs. White-wing Scoters can typically be noticed gathered with nesting gulls presently.
White-winged Scoter Vary Map
When autumn comes round, White-wing Scoters journey south to Massachusetts to attend out the winter in hotter climates.
White-winged Scoters are seafaring birds which are wonderful at diving for shellfish. They will simply dive as deep as 65 toes (20 m). Their favourite meals embrace rock clams and razor clams.
#28. Frequent Eider
- Eiders are the biggest seafaring geese within the Northern Hemisphere.
- Males have inexperienced necks, black caps and sides, and white elsewhere.
- Females are a heat golden brown throughout, finely barred with darkish brown.
Frequent Eiders are famend for his or her delicate and fluffy down feathers. Females pluck down from their chests and use it to line their nests.
These feathers might be harvested sustainably and ethically. For hundreds of years individuals have collected them from Frequent Eider nests after the ducklings have fledged. The down feathers had been used to stuff pillows and duvets.
Frequent Eiders nest in shallow depressions discovered on rocky surfaces or scratched into the bottom. In the course of the breeding season, they collect in large colonies beside the ocean. Their numbers assist shield their nests, that are pretty uncovered.
Frequent Eider Vary Map
These massive geese are good divers and largely eat mussels. However apparently, they don’t smash the mussels open. As an alternative, they swallow them entire! The shells are crushed of their gizzards.
Frequent Eiders are inclined to migrate south to Massachusetts for winter, however their migrations should not excessive. The summer time breeding vary and the winter vary overlap in lots of areas. The distances they fly, and even the tendency emigrate in any respect, varies tremendously.
#29. King Eider
- Male King Eiders are extremely stunning and attention-grabbing.
- Males have black and white our bodies, blue heads, peach chests, and orange faces.
- Females are brown, with mild borders to darkish feathers that kind diamond shapes.
King Eiders have a clear-set migration sample. In spring, they fly north in monumental flocks and settle at freshwater lakes and ponds within the Arctic for the breeding season.
As winter approaches, King Eiders fly south, usually staying beneath the sting of the ocean ice. These massive geese could also be noticed on the coasts of Massachusetts in winter.
King Eider Vary Map
King Eiders typically spend lengthy intervals at sea. Younger birds not sufficiently old to breed could even keep at sea year-round! They’re wonderful swimmers and divers. They will dive as deep as 180 toes (54 meters) to seize meals similar to crabs, sea urchins, and anemones from the ocean ground.
The courtship shows from male King Eiders embrace dramatic head actions and wing flapping. Females reciprocate by dipping their heads right down to the water. Try the video to see and listen to them in motion!
Assist! I noticed a duck that doesn’t match any on this checklist!
Listed below are some potential explanations in the event you noticed a duck in Massachusetts that doesn’t appear to match any of the species above.
It was a home duck or hybrid.
- There are an unbelievable quantity of geese which are thought of farm or home geese. One in style instance is the Pekin Duck, which has utterly white plumage. Sadly, lots of them escape and are launched into wild populations. These people additionally generally breed with different native species, particularly Mallards, which create hybrids which are unimaginable to determine.
You noticed a uncommon or unintentional species.
- The geese above are the commonest species you might discover in Massachusetts, nevertheless it isn’t all-inclusive. Due to the migratory nature of geese, they’ll flip up in all types of distinctive and new areas!
It was an escapee from somebody’s private zoo.
- Many individuals have personal collections of unique animals from world wide. Geese with fancy plumage are sometimes in style additions till they escape and find yourself at your native pond or marsh.
Do you want extra assist figuring out geese you have got seen?
If that’s the case, one in all these area guides ought to find a way that can assist you!
Which of those geese have you ever seen earlier than in Massachusetts?
Depart a remark beneath!
To be taught extra about different water birds close to you, take a look at these guides!
The vary maps above had been generously shared with permission from The Birds of The World, revealed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. I take advantage of their web site OFTEN to be taught new details about birds!
