BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 15, 2024
Waterfowl identification in autumn is hard. Blame the ducks. Most ducks won’t let you get within shotgun range during hunting season, so you need to identify them at a distance. Even then, they’re likely to fly off as you approach. Blue-winged and green-winged teal are named for their bright wing patches, but those are hidden on a sitting duck. Duck identification may require three steps.
Step one: Is the duck a dabbler or a diver?
Step two: What size is it?
Step three: What are its plumage field marks?
~ Bob Duchesne