Sunday 27 January 2013

Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)

Length: 15 -16"(38-40 cm); Habitat: shallow ponds, lakes etc; Statue: non-breeding Migrant; our most numerous migrant duck.

 small dabbling duck







 small dabbling duck; bill grey to black; legs yellow; iridescent green patch on the back of the wings(speculum); forewing has light blue patch; main plumage mottled brown (spots of black and white); darkish eye line; whitish spot base of the bill. Breeding Male: white crescent between eyes and bill; head purplish-grey; white patch just before the tail.  

Thursday 24 January 2013

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)



Description: 8- 9 inches; shorebird; short orange legs; underparts and rump white; round bib shape dark patch on chest; upperparts mainly brownish; white and dark wing pattern seen during flight . Breeding – reddish and black upperparts; head white with black streaks on the crown; black and white facial markings.Habitat: Rocky beaches, mudflats, shoreline Statue: common migrant; winter resident
Ruddy in breeding plumage






Flight Patten