Saw these smart birds for the first time last winter. Very happy:)
The word Clangula comes from klang; which I understand is "scream" in Greek. This lead me to listen to its call - one worth listening. (
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Long-tailed_Duck/overview).
Two more points:
An odd one. Apparently the winter plumage is its breeding plumage, and the summer plumage is its non-breeding plumage! That probably explains the species name - hyemalis; which has something to do with winter "of winter/winter flowering".
And of all the diving ducks, they spend the most time under water than on the suface (3-4 times more under than on the surface). And they can dive 200 feet!
They are not just pretty!
