Onondaga Lake Park, Syracuse NY July 2021 Black/white duck w/long bill-any ideas? Thanks in advance! (1 Viewer)

[whatdouthink]

What is this?View attachment 1394785

 

[rkj]

Common Merganser

 

[whatdouthink]

Common Merganser

Hi and thanks for your reply. Are they black and white ? It was very distinctive looking-very clean lines-very long bill so quite different from the Mallards that are so common here.

 

[whatdouthink]

Common Merganser

the pics I see of that all seem to have red bills but this one was only black-can Mergansers have black beaks?

 

[TWM]

Obviously because that is what it is.

 

[AveryBartels]

the pics I see of that all seem to have red bills but this one was only black-can Mergansers have black beaks?

I wouldn't trust the colour in a photo of this quality, or even your own in person experience viewing it if not up close and viewed well. Red can often appear dark/black at a distance, in low light, poor quality pics etc. especially with regards to small body parts like the bill, or a small patch of plumage.

As stated by others, unequivocally a Common Merganser male.

 

[rkj]

I wouldn't trust the colour in a photo of this quality, or even your own in person experience viewing it if not up close and viewed well. Red can often appear dark/black at a distance, in low light, poor quality pics etc. especially with regards to small body parts like the bill, or a small patch of plumage.

As stated by others, unequivocally a Common Merganser male.

My thinking is the same. Nothing else is similar.

 

[whatdouthink]

Thanks for your replies! The common Merganser was very impressive looking with nice clean lines. Nce to know what it was. Thank you.