Ducks on the Pond

From Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex:

Ducks on the Pond. You know its wintertime when the blue-winged teal (Anas discors) return to the freshwater ponds in the National Key Deer Refuge. These ducks typically hang out together in small groups or even flocks of dozens of birds. While many migrate all the way to South America, we typically have many that overwinter here. They are dabbling ducks, meaning they'll upend in the water to feed on aquatic vegetation, especially the seeds. Some sources suggest that that they'll eat aquatic invertebrates as well. As ducks go, they are pretty zippy and their highly maneuverable flocks can zig and zag in flight in unison to avoid predators. Named for a light blue stripe on their wings, it isn't easily visible on these three resting females shown below.

Come on out to the refuge to see this species and more during the annual Christmas Bird Count this coming Saturday (Dec. 17; 7-11 am). Contact Kate Watts to register for this event-katherine_watts@fws.gov

Photo credit: Kristie Killam/USFWS

#USFWS #Bird 


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