< Previous20 Harlequin Duck LISTEN FOR: a distinctive mouselike squeak LOOK FOR: bold white markings on the head and wings THESE BIRDS ... …are also known as “lords and ladies,” “painted duck,” “rock duck,” “white-eyed diver,” “squeaker,” and “blue streak.” …feed by swimming under water or diving. …have smooth, densely packed feathers that trap air, insulating them from the cold and helping the ducks stay buoyant, ( making them bounce like corks after diving ) . The male harlequin stands out on rocky shorelines in blue-gray with chestnut-colored flanks, and distinctive white marking on its head and body. right: A male harlequin takes flight. opposite: A male Harlequin Duck rests on the rocky shoreline. A duck of turbulent waters, harle- quins fly far inland and up fast-moving mountain streams to breed and raise their young. After eggs are laid, males desert the females at the start of incubation. Like American Dippers, these ducks will walk on the bottom of swift streams searching for food. Young birds are capable of navigating swift waters almost from the time they hatch. These unique ducks move to spend the winter on saltwater in protected coves, bays, and estuaries, where they can usually be found in small flocks. Har- lequins dive to the bottom using both feet and wings as they probe for snails, small crabs, and aquatic insects.22 Long-tailed Duck Beautiful in both winter and breeding plumage, Long-tailed Ducks create a ripple of excite- ment when they first arrive to spend their winters in northwest Washington waters. They are medium-sized sea ducks that pre- fer cold water. They winter in small groups along both coasts where they forage on the seafloor for aquatic plants, shrimp, and mol- lusks. Only the male has the namesake long tail, which is mostly hidden while the duck is swimming. Birds often nest in loose colonies where females show more site loyalty than males. Some pairs re-mate in successive years. Occasional brood parasites, where one female will lay her eggs in the nest of another Long-tailed Duck LISTEN FOR: a musical "ow-owdle-ow" or "aow-omelet" THESE BIRDS ... …dive as deep as two hundred feet in pursuit of food. …stay underwater for as long as one-and- a-half minutes. …have a distinctive yodeling call. …move in swift and seemingly uncontrolled flight. …perform distraction displays to lure predators away from nests. This uncommon winter visitor from the Arctic breeds on small tundra ponds and winters in small groups on deep-water channels. right: This female duck preens in the morning sun. opposite: A pair of male Long-tailed Ducks displays their namesake tails and intricate plumage. LOOK FOR: mostly black-and- white plumage, varying throughout the year 24 Pigeon Guillemot Bright red feet of the adult guille- mot are often as surprising as they are brilliant. These puffin-like birds often nest in colonies on sheer cliffs in the Pacific Northwest. Their nesting burrows are created using beaks and claws and are de- signed to be inaccessible to predators and to avoid overheating. Pair bonding is long-term and birds are faithful to traditional nesting sites. Young birds avoid sunlight and must be able to reach water on their first flight from the nest. Guillemots in mostly white winter plumage offer a sharp contrast to the jet black of the breed- ing season. Juveniles resemble winter adults but lack the red feet. LOOK FOR: black bodies with a rounded, white wing patch LISTEN FOR: high-pitched, thin twitters and piping calls THESE BIRDS ... …are found along rocky coasts from Alaska to California. …are active during the day and sleep at night. …can dive up to 150 feet in search of food. …regularly lay two eggs ( rather than one ) . …reuse the same nest sites year after year. Guillemots are medium-sized, chunky seabirds that inhabit rocky shorelines throughout their range. left: Juveniles resemble winter- plumage adults. opposite: Breeding-plumage adults rests on a rocky outcropping.25262626 Western Grebe The Western Grebe exemplifies avian beauty and grace with a seemingly dignified demeanor. Flocks of wintering Western Grebes swim along in a calm manner that belies their be- havior on the breeding grounds where pair bonding involves racing along the surface of the water and diving as part of the spring ritual. They are the largest of North American grebes and nest on freshwater lakes and ponds and spend their winters on saltwater. Their nests are usually constructed as floating platforms in shallow water. This diving bird, with its long and graceful neck, is among the most elegant of all bird species. LISTEN FOR: a shrill whistle and rolling croak LOOK FOR: a swan-like neck, a black cap, and a long yellowish bill THESE BIRDS ... …perform spectacular courtship dances. …migrate in small, loose flocks. …are gregarious and nest in large colonies. …often carry hatchlings on their backs. …winter as far south as central Mexico. …usually spear prey or capture it with a forceps-like bill motion. Elegant in contrasting black and white, this winter visitor on saltwater bays and inlets is a proficient underwater swimmer and the most streamlined member of the grebe family. right: Western Grebes often gather in sizable flocks in winter. opposite: Graceful Western Grebes are at home in their watery world.2728 Wood Duck left: A female Wood Duck watches her day-old duckling negotiating its first lily pad. opposite: A male Wood Duck shows off its breeding plumage. Red eyes and intricately-colored and patterned feathers of the woodies brighten the grayest days. On sunny days the iridescent colors of their head feathers change from blue to purple and green. Males that gather cordially in the winter months become territorial and aggressive during the breeding season. As soon as breeding is done, the male leaves the care and raising of the young to the female. Ducklings leap from the nest at one day of age, beckoned by the sounds of the female waiting below. Fresh water birds, Wood Ducks are year-round resi- dents of Whatcom County (a good place to find them is at Terrell Creek). Courtship and pair formation begin in fall and continue into spring. The male Wood Duck in full breeding plumage, with its shimmering colors and sleek crest, cannot be mistaken for any other duck. THESE BIRDS ... …are experts at flying through dense woodlands. …nest and perch in trees. …are considered to be the most beautiful waterfowl species in the world. …mainly eat berries, acorns, and seeds, but also insects. …are one of the few ducks with strong claws that can grib bark and branches. LISTEN FOR: “whoo-eek,” or “jeee” and loud, distressed calls if disturbed LOOK FOR: a boxy, crested head, a thin neck, and a long, broad tail29Next >