Espanola, Ontario, Canada - Are these Ring necked ducks? I saw them in a group, diving for food. (1 Viewer)

[Andy Adcock]

My understanding is that they are named for the ring around the neck - more conspicuous in dead/taxonomy specimens which is what would have been looked at/handled when the species was named. Seen on eg wary birds but fair enough to say not a particularly enlightening name for the bird when experienced normally.

You need the right light to see it but it can be quite obvious.

Ring-necked Duck stock photo

Stock photo Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) adult male, swimming, captive. Buy a licence on mindenpictures.com

www.mindenpictures.com

Regarding the 'ring' on the bill, I presume it doesn't extend around the lower mandible but struggling to find shots that confirm this, so it, as previously pointed out, cannot be defined as a ring.

 

[Stonefaction]

You need the right light to see it but it can be quite obvious.

Ring-necked Duck stock photo

Stock photo Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) adult male, swimming, captive. Buy a licence on mindenpictures.com

www.mindenpictures.com

Regarding the 'ring' on the bill, I presume it doesn't extend around the lower mandible but struggling to find shots that confirm this, so it, as previously pointed out, cannot be defined as a ring.

In addition to the right light, you also need the right posture from the bird. Majority of my Ring Necked Duck photos do not have the neck extended, though I do have a photo somewhere of a bird with extended neck. Ring Necked Duck

Managed to find a photo showing the underside of the bill - doesn't look like the bill markings continue in the same way underneath. However, despite this I still think Ring Billed Duck would be a better name than Ring Necked Duck....or how about Non-Tufted Duck as an alternative?

 

[Earnest lad]

Forgive me for my amateurish comment but doesn't pic 5 show the archetypal (diagnostic?) printed white whale shape on its side?

 

[Butty]

doesn't pic 5 show the archetypal (diagnostic?) printed white whale shape on its side?

I'm not clear what point you're making. Is this a comment on the ID of that bird?