Ring-necked Duck

 

    Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris); 3 males + 1 female

On November 22 I mistakenly identified four distant ducks seen at the Laguna de Barlovento as Aythya fuligula (Tufted Duck). It was only on my following visit, on November 27, that I was able to correctly identify the birds as Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris).

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) showing diagnostic white ring around base of neck

In the photo above, the diagnostic white ring around the base of the neck of one of the birds can be appreciated, plus the greyish upper wing bar.

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) showing whitish "spurs" on flanks.

Another diagnostic feature of Aythya collaris is the so-called white spur on the flanks, visible in the above image. 

My reason for initially doubting that these ducks are Ring-necked (A. collaris) and not Tufted (A. fuligula) is the head shape, which seems too rounded. Perhaps this is due to the angle of vision from my elevated observation point, about 20 metres above the water surface.

Green-winged Teal II

 

Green-winged Teal /Anas carolinensis) male

The male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) discovered on November 22 was still present at the Laguna de Barlovento reservoir this afternoon, November 28.

Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) male

All four females were also observed, although one of them had left the group and was foraging separately.

Male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) with female Teal sp.

The position of the sun is better for photography during the afternoon, although the birds are still 150 metres away and 20 metres below the observation point, unfortunately too far for my 400mm lens.

Male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis)

It will be interesting to see if the Teals overwinter at this location. With its present low water level, the reservoir is ideal for a variety of birds. Other migratory species currently present include about 20 x Common Coot (Fulica atra), a solitary Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus),  a single Wigeon (Anas penelope) and possibly one or two other species yet to show themselves.

Male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) with 3 of the 4 female Teal sp.

The Laguna de Barlovento reservoir is almost empty at the moment, thus offering potential habitat for migratory birds:

Present appearance of the Laguna de Barlovento reservoir in the NE of La Palma.

Green-winged Teal

 

Male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis)

A trip to the Laguna de Barlovento this morning led to an interesting find: a male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) accompanied by 4 females. 

Male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis)

Observation conditions at this reservoir are always difficult: birds are distant and visibility is confined to a few gaps in the surrounding fence and/or vegetation. A spotting-scope was used to identify the ducks on this occasion, before these poor quality images were captured.

Male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) and one of the accompanying females

According to "Rare Birds of the Canary Islands" (Lynx Edicions), this long-distance migrant breeds in northern USA and winters in Honduras. It is the fifth most recorded American duck in the Canary Islands, surprisingly less frequent than Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors). As of publication in June 2013, there had been 11 accepted records in the archipelago, mostly from Tenerife.

Since then, other sightings have probably been added to the total.

Male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis), with Common Coot (Fulica atra)

Birds reported on this side of the Atlantic tend to be males, which are easy to identify by the vertical white stripe on either side of the breast, and by the reduced yellow lines on the side of the head, when compared with the Common or Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca). Assigning females to one or other (sub-) species poses serious problems in the field.

Male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis)

This American duck is still classed as a rarity in Spain, so details will be forwarded to the Spanish Rarities Committee once the bird flies on.

Male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis)

Male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) with female Teal sp.