May 12, 2013 - More Ducks

Last week I showed you photos of a male Bufflehead and here are photos of female Buffleheads. These were also taken at the Coon Rapids Dam. Female ducks are usually less colorful than the males and that is also true of the Bufflehead. Most of the time, female ducks are the ones who do all the incubating of the eggs and need to be inconspicuous so predators are less likely to see them.

BuffleheadfemaleCoonRapidsDamAnokaCounty20130416

Sometimes, photos can reveal some interesting behaviors. Buffleheads are diving ducks and this one is just starting her dive. Notice how she spreads her tail out so she can use it to push against the water to help her dive.

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As the tail pushes farther down into the water, it gives her momentum to start her dive.

BuffleheadfemaledivingCoonRapidsDamAnokaCounty20130416

She also uses her feet to propel her into the water. The dive is very quick so it is nice to have these photos to see how it actually happens.

BuffleheadfemaledivingCoonRapidsDamAnokaCounty20130416

Mallards are our most-recognized duck species. Here is a female Mallard seen at the Coon Rapids Dam. She also has well-camouflaged plumage.

MallardfemaleCoonRapidsDamAnokaCounty20130407

Here’s the male Mallard. The feathers on his head are iridescent and, depending on the light, they look either green or blue. I’m always amused at the curled feathers just above the tail.

MallardmaleCoonRapidsDamAnokaCounty20130407