Need Id on Ocean Bird (1 Viewer)

L

Locotuss

New member

• Jun 27, 2007

• #1

Was On St George Island Florida and on the beach was a bird that looked like a duck, about the same size, was black with red eyes, the beak was slender and the bird appeared injured when you walked up to it, eventually it would go back into the gulf and float around. He would at times dive under the waves and travel a good distance under water, he did this the whole time in the water, we never saw him fly. We observed him for about three days doing this same activity, laying on the beach swimming and diving going up the beach and down the beach in the water.

Can't seem to Id it.

 

L

Locotuss

New member

• Jun 27, 2007

• #2

picture

this is the picture i have

 

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tim.birdboy

Well-known member

• Jun 27, 2007

• #3

It's a Common Loon, they are just as you described.

 

B

BirdPhotography

Guest

• Jun 27, 2007

• #4

Agreed Common Loon.

 

Storm-Petrel

registered dude

• Jun 27, 2007

• #5

Yup, Common Loon. They are actually unrelated to ducks

 

L

Locotuss

New member

• Jun 27, 2007

• #6

Thanks

Great, Appreciate the fast replies.

 

Dave Hall

Bumbling Bears

• Jun 27, 2007

• #7

Hi I agree with Common Loon this side of the Atlantic we call them Great Northern Diver

 

Gentoo

Guest

• Jun 27, 2007

• #8

Agree with Common Loon. Seems a little late for him to be this far south.

 

ayasuda

Well-known member

• Jun 27, 2007

• #9

Hi Locotuss - loons and grebes have feet that are positioned near the back of their body making them rather awkward on land. They do not walk like ducks, but rather push/hop themselves along the ground. If this is what you have been seeing then it is not a problem. (Small grebes mistake puddles for deep water often ground themselves because they need a water runway to take off again.) If the bird does not flee and remains beached or seem otherwise unwell, get advice from a local rehabilitator.

 

L

Locotuss

New member

• Jun 27, 2007

• #10

you are correct

It did hop like you said, not very graceful on land, but smooth in the water, I joked and told the wife he was trained to perform like he did, some people would throw crackers towards him, one lady filled a shell with water from her bottle and set it nearby...

I looked at some pictures on the net, and think mine was better.

 

ayasuda

Well-known member

• Jun 27, 2007

• #11

From your picture, he looks ok. If his chest looks sunken in (you will know when you see it), and he stays on land, he might need help. If you could pass the word along, no bread or crackers to the fish eater. It has no nutritional value for them.