Diving ducks - Ottawa, ON (1 Viewer)

Yesterday morning I was photographing the ducks on Mud Lake here in Ottawa. I thought most of them were ring-necked ducks but the angle of the sun was so bad I didn't spend a lot of time looking at them. Looking at the photos, however, I discovered some birds with white patches on their faces. I think one for sure is a female bufflehead (photo #2, the duck on the left in the foreground). Are the other ducks with the white cheek patches also buffleheads? Sibley's shows 1st winter males as having cheek patches, but I've only seen adult breeding males. The other possibility is ruddy duck.

What do you think?

Thanks again!

I see two bufflehead in each shot. The rest appear to be ring-necked ducks. But I'm not great with ducks so wait for it.

Scott

cavan wood said:

I see two bufflehead in each shot. The rest appear to be ring-necked ducks. But I'm not great with ducks so wait for it.

Scott

Click to expand...

I thoroughly agree. The big white patch on the face and small size is a dead giveaway for Bufflehead.

Thanks Scott & Birderbf!!!