Norman Searle
New member
Hi from a newbie to the forum.
I live on the banks of the Winnipeg River overlooking an open water bay. This does not freeze up at any time. It has been down to -30C (-22F) overnight here.
Today I am watching a female Old Squaw swimming and diving with 3 other duck like diving birds. I am unable to id them. They have duck like bills. They have a dark ruddy to black head, black back and light grey to white breast. They have a distinctive cut-off of the dark head half way down the neck to a very white neck below. One has a grey breast and belly and the other two white. A distinctive marker is the black back and the upper sides are dark but lightly mottled progressing down the side to ever more white mottling down to the white breast below. A second distinctive marking is a bright blaze on the leading edge of the outer wing. This is more distinct on two of the three (males?). These three are also slighty bigger than the Old Squaw. I am surprised I can't make an id from my books. BTW, I have seen two Bald Eagles over the open water in the last few days. Cheers.
I live on the banks of the Winnipeg River overlooking an open water bay. This does not freeze up at any time. It has been down to -30C (-22F) overnight here.
Today I am watching a female Old Squaw swimming and diving with 3 other duck like diving birds. I am unable to id them. They have duck like bills. They have a dark ruddy to black head, black back and light grey to white breast. They have a distinctive cut-off of the dark head half way down the neck to a very white neck below. One has a grey breast and belly and the other two white. A distinctive marker is the black back and the upper sides are dark but lightly mottled progressing down the side to ever more white mottling down to the white breast below. A second distinctive marking is a bright blaze on the leading edge of the outer wing. This is more distinct on two of the three (males?). These three are also slighty bigger than the Old Squaw. I am surprised I can't make an id from my books. BTW, I have seen two Bald Eagles over the open water in the last few days. Cheers.