Common Pochard, Tafelente, Aythya ferina

Seen in Germany (Laacher See, Rheinland-Pfalz) in Nov 2011.
Checking through the photos this Lifer caught me a bit by surprise.
I was shooting from quite a distance, hoping to get some IDs on the waterfowl.
Most I could tell were Coots, some Tufted Duck and some Great Crested Grebe. This guys just now caught my eye. I love surprises :-)

The one in the middle (all grey, brown head) is the male and the others are female.

From Birds Germany 2011

And here's a close crop of the male. Not good quality, but oh well,...

From Birds Germany 2011

Tufted Duck, Reiherente, Aythya fuligula

Tufted Duck, Reiherente, Aythya fuligula

From Birds Germany 2011

Coot (left), Red crested Pochard Mallard Hybrid (middle), Tufted Duck, Reiherente, Aythya fuligula

From Birds Germany 2011

Mallard, Stockente, Anas platyrhynchos

I am fairly sure that I have many more Mallard photos. Just where they are is the good question :-)

Female Mallard, Plaidt, Gerrmany

From Birds Germany 2009

Female Mallard, Plaidt, Gerrmany

From Birds Germany 2009

Male Mallard, Mayen, Gerrmany

From Birds Germany 2011

Male Mallard, Hungary

From Birds Hungary 2009

Female & MaleMallard, Jahra, Kuwait - not a common sight

From Birds Kuwait 2010

Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata, Löffelente

Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata, Löffelente

From Birds Egypt 2010

Seen in South Sinai, Egypt in 2010. Fascinating birds!


From wiki:

This species is unmistakable in the northern hemisphere due to its large spatulate bill. The breeding male has an iridescent dark green head, white breast and chestnut belly and flanks. In flight, pale blue forewing feathers are revealed, separated from the green speculum by a white border. In early fall the male will have a white crescent on each side of the face. In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake resembles the female.
The female is a drab mottled brown like other dabblers, with plumage much like a female Mallard, but easily distinguished by the long broad bill, which is gray tinged with orange on cutting edge and lower mandible. The female’s forewing is grey.
They are 19 inches long (48 cm) and have a wingspan of 30 inches (76 cm) with a weight of 1.3 pounds (600 g).

Teal (Eurasian), Krickente, Anas crecca

From Birds Egypt 2009

From Birds Egypt 2009

Tufted Duck, Reiherente, Aythya fuligula

From Birds Egypt 2010

From Birds Egypt 2010

Ferruginous Duck, Moorente, Aythya nyroca

Saw this Beauty briefly ‘at home’ in Hungary in 2009. A guide from the nature protection organisation around there was surprised when I told her that they were in our region. The Ferruginous Duck is on the IUCN Red List of endangered species. Status: Near threatened, trend decreasing

The Ferruginous Duck has a Body length of about 38-42cm and a WS of 60-67cm. Breeds at lakes and marshes with sufficient open water, the depth needs to be at least 1m.

They are rather shy and silent and easy to miss.

Infos from:

Collin’s Bird guide

From Birds Hungary 2009

And recently ID-ed these as a flock of Ferruginous - correct me, if I'm wrong

From Birds in Hungary 2008

Mute Swan, Höckerschwan, Cygnus olor

From Birds Hungary 2008