Len. The two males are in first winter plumage. One is more advanced in having a whiter breast and has molted more black feathering on the upper parts than the other male. By this coming fall these males will look essentially like adults except for a somewhat less bright plumage and a small orange base to the bill. They will then be in second winter plumage. By the next (third) winter plumage they will be full adults and will have the typical "field guide" appearance which includes the large rounded orange base to the bill.
Kevin. -----Original Message----- From: ONTBIRDS [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Leonard Manning Sent: March-23-14 6:37 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Ontbirds] 3 King Eiders @ Bronte Harbour,Oakville, March 23 Birders, Today, Joanne Redwood and I made a trip to Bronte Harbour and while we were unable to relocate the Canvasback x Redhead Hybrid for photographs, we were treated to 3 King Eiders in close company to each other, which gave excellent looks. 2 of the birds are males, the other a female. I wonder on the age classes of the males. If you can help, or just like looking at different plumages,please take a look at my Flickr photostream for examination of my photos from today. The Eiders should be the first photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/119788918@N03/ Directions: Bronte Harbour is in Oakville, at the lake end of Bronte Road. QEW, exit Bronte Road and travel south to the lake, turn left on Ontario Street, park in the lot at the lake, and walk to the pier to view the birds. Best, Len Manning Hamilton, ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
