Many species of diving ducks spend the summer as far north as the Arctic Circle. However, they spend the winter months vacationing in New England?s relatively balmy coastal waters. So it?s the perfect time to observe these aquatic acrobats in action.
Many species of diving ducks spend the summer as far north as the Arctic Circle. However, they spend the winter months vacationing in New England?s relatively balmy coastal waters. So it?s the perfect time to observe these aquatic acrobats in action.
Hi, this is Iain MacLeod from New Hampshire Audubon, bringing you Something Wild.
Unlike dabbling ducks, such as the familiar mallard, which generally feed from the water?s surface, diving ducks will dive to considerable depths and travel great distances under water to locate their food. They have a compact, streamlined body, and their large feet are placed farther back than those of dabbling ducks. They have evolved for diving rather than making rapid takeoffs, so most of this group patters along the surface of the water before becoming airborne.
Here are a few of the many species you could find in our estuaries, bays and sheltered rocky shores this winter. Since male diving ducks are the most colorful and easily identified, we?ll focus on them.
Small, black-and-white buffleheads are common divers. Unlike other diving ducks, they can take off from the water without running along the surface. Buffleheads gather in small flocks just offshore.
Watch for the long-tailed duck on shallow, sandy-bottomed ocean waters. They are common on the New Hampshire coast, but are sometimes far enough off shore that you may need a telescope. Look for large white feathers on their backs that point to a very long, graceful, dark tail.
The harlequin duck is a rare visitor to New Hampshire. Watch for their long pointed tails and striking slate, black, white and russet markings as they search for food along rocky coastlines.
Diving ducks are easily observed from the shore. You may not even need to get out of your toasty car to see them. So grab your binoculars and head to the coast to get to know these winter visitors from the north.
Something Wild is a joint production of New Hampshire Audubon, New Hampshire Public Radio, and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
For Something Wild, I?m Iain MacLeod.
If you have a natural history question that you would like answered on Something Wild, email us at somethingwild@nhpr.org.
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