Mallard
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Mallards are the most common duck in Canada.
Flocks often feed in early morning and late afternoon in nearby harvested fields, returning to marshes and creeks to spend the night.
The flight is not particularly rapid. Hens have a loud quack; the drake's voice is a low-pitched kwek-kwek.
Photo at Tin Can Beach: Adam Chateauvert (Feb 10, 2014)
Black and Mallard Ducks: These two species often interbreed which can result in hybrids with any combination of mallard/black duck traits.
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)
Photo at Tin Can Beach: Adam Chateauvert (Feb 10, 2014)
Common Merganser
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
This species is larger than the red-breasted merganser, and is one of the largest of our ducks. It is one of the last to migrate South, and is more common than the red-breasted merganser on inland waters.
Flocks move in "follow the leader" style, low over the water. The only call seems to be a startled croak.
Photo at Tin Can Beach: Adam Chateauvert (Feb 10, 2014)
Common Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
These are active, strong-winged fliers moving singly or in small flocks, often high in the air. Distinctive wing-whistling sound in flight has earned them the name of whistlers.
Goldeneyes generally migrate late in the season.
Photo at Tin Can Beach: Adam Chateauvert (Feb 10, 2014)
American Black Duck
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
Photo at Tin Can Beach: Adam Chateauvert (Feb 10, 2014)