So often when one is first learning to identify birds you look at the colors and patterns of the feathers to guide you, but one of the most important field marks is the bird’s beak. When I was in Central Park on Saturday I had the opportunity to photograph this Pied-billed Grebe as it floated close to shore at the reservoir in Central Park. Right next to it was this Northern Shoveler. While they definitely have different colors and patterns to their feathers, I couldn’t help but notice the wide difference in their beaks!
While the tiny grebe is a diving bird that uses its beak to capture food, the Northern Shoveler uses that shovel-shaped bill to sift through the water on the surface for vegetation to eat. This duck species is in a group known as the dabbling ducks or “puddle ducks” since it paddles around on the surface instead of diving for its food. Isn’t birding fun when you see species like these in such contrast to each other? If you want to have even more birding fun, just click on the links below.
I will be paying more attention to beaks to help with IDing.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly found the widest range of beak sizes in these two birds! Great contrast.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing quite like the Shoveler beak (I guess the Spoonbill is pretty awesome too). I wish they'd use those to dig up on land. Nice shot Kathie. Shovelers display a lot of different colors and you brought them together very well.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos showing the differences in the beaks very clearly. Diagnostic photos such as yours are so helpful.
ReplyDeleteWonderful birds, I love the cute Grebe and a great shot of the Shoveler.
ReplyDeleteBoth of those are gorgeous, Kathie! I just love the Shoveler, though. Their bills are so cool!
ReplyDeleteGreat close ups!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteShovelers are one of my favourite birds - although ours are a different species.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures.
Stewart M - Australia
Awesome photos and a great post Kathie! Both of these species are fun to watch, especially the Northern Shovelers when they are in pairs. But watching the Pied-billed Grebe slowly sink like a submarine always puts a smile on my face!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathie
ReplyDeleteYour shots of the ducks are lovely. I really enjoyed the colours and feather details you captured. And you did get great examples of the differences in bills based on feeding strategy. So you are back in New York one of our favorite cities I hope you have time for sightseeing.
Regards
Guy
Kathie, great shots! I remember the first time I saw a pied billed grebe was at the Visitor's Center at Bear River MBR when we went together. You saw him first and pointed out the bill and features of the body, ever since then I can easily identify them. ALso when I went out to Farmington Bay WMA last month, when I saw the bills on a pair of Northern Shovelers, I immediately thought about you and how you taught me to identify ducks. You are a great birding buddy mentor! Thanks, my friend.
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos.
ReplyDeleteRegards and best wishes
They are lovely, especially the second one:)
ReplyDeleteWhat cute and handsome chaps.
ReplyDeleteWonderful birds to see and a Pied-billed Grebe was seen in the UK last year... blown over the Atlantic during one of the storms...
ReplyDeleteGreat post Kathie! The Shoveler is always interesting to observe!!
ReplyDeletetwo perfect extremes! love those pied-billed grebes! so darn cute!
ReplyDeleteWoW...two great close ups. we rarely visit central park when we go to nyc, we should change that!!
ReplyDeletei enjoyed your fun facts!!
Great pictures, that Shoveller is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteGreat comparison. As a relative newbie to birding I'm still learning. Alway thought those Shovelers were such a neat contrast. Gorgeous plumage and that hilarious Jimmy Durantee beak...:)
ReplyDeleteYour sublime pictures illustrate your points perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI have been birding for a long time and a day doesn't pass that I don't learn something new. I love the little Grebe ... when you see them on the water they look like thay aught have a little wind up key in their backs. Thank you for the interesting informaion on the different bills.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Well, Kathie, it was so good to get your comment and know that Mary had emailed you! Interestingly, she and Dorothy and Mike went back to Sweetwater on Wednesday and invited me to come! I had such a wonderful time! It was funny that it is located behind where you get the emissions testing done for your car, but you would never know it is there! I know my husband and I will be headed back there from time to time. We are not avid birders in the most pure sense, but I can see maybe become one of that species! Mostly we have always enjoyed watching birds at feeders and noticing them when we would go hiking (when we were younger we did do a fair amount of hiking). We own four bird books, and love to look them up. But to go out "just to bird" we have never really done that. Now that we are older and cannot hike so much, I can see birding as a wonderful alternative activity, because you can go slow and you don't have to go far. So, Wednesday morning at the Wetlands was a nice "start." :-) Plus, it was delightful to get to see Mary and her hubby and sis again before they left for home today. Well, Mary & Mike left, not Dorothy! :-) Love these duck photos! Thanks too for your comment on my blog. The cactus wren is such a delight! I am enjoying living here very much.
ReplyDeleteAs someone fairly new to birding I enjoyed your beak lesson.
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely captures but I am really impressed with the Northern Shoveler. Your photo certainly shows off all his beautiful colors - lovely shot!
that little grebe is so sweet. I wish we had it. Great shot.
ReplyDeleteI was so thrilled to see a pie-billed on "our" lake in Oregon last summer -- a new bird for me! Interesting to find that they live in the "big city" too!
ReplyDeletewowee-those shots are incredible! I've never sen those birds that well even in a scope. Almost makes me want to thow my camera a way(almost).
ReplyDelete