Bay Critter Profile: Winter Ducks

While most of us know that birds generally fly south for the winter, we often times forget that for some birds, we are south! Canada Geese, Mallards, American Black Ducks, Red Breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneye and Buffleheads are among the many species of ducks that enjoy Long Island's mild winters.

Eastern Long Island is an exceptional location for winter waterfowl. Our tidal marshes and freshwater wetlands offer an abundance of feeding and nesting areas to keep them coming back for more. These cold-weather visitors can be found along the intricate bays, ponds and in the marshes and are relatively easy to identifiy.

Mallards are most commonly seen and easily recognized by their green heads, brown chests, violet-blue speculum and white outer tail feathers. They usually fly in V- or U- formations. Mallards generally migrate no further south than their food source will sustain. Together with American Black Ducks, Mallards are the latest of the fall migrants. Sometimes mistaken for Mallards, Black Ducks have darker plumage and few distinguishing characteristics between males and females.

At sea, the Red-Breasted Merganser flies fast with its small, streamlined body close to the water. It takes a straight path with its wings propelling rapidly. Males are distinguished by their dark green heads; females by cinnamon-brown colored heads. They usually migrate in small flocks of five to fifteen animals, traveling during daylight along the coastline and further inland at night.

The whistling of the Common Goldeneye's wings can be heard vefore the animal is seen. It has a chunky, blocky appearance with a dark head, white breast and belly and a large white patch on the back of its wings and on its cheeks. Buffleheads, nearly a smaller version of the Common Goldeneye, are among the smallest of all waterfowl and usually travel in pairs and trios.

Those who pay close attention to the numbers and patterns of our winter ducks may have observed a drastic decline in population as suburban sprawl creeps slowly eastward. It's easy to forget that which we take for granted. But to walk along the cliffs of Montauk or kayak the estuary, remember what it is that makes this island so special - the beauty of Long Island and its inhabitants.

By Shannon Carleton, a former intern from Southampton College