An American Coot (Fulica americana) young perches on a floating cattail stalk in a wetland to the west of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
There is something about a young coot's colours that sets it apart from other young waterbirds.
If you look closely on the end of the upper bill near the black tip, you will see a tiny white bump. This is called the egg tooth which it uses to scar the inside of the egg in a circular pattern which enables it to crack the egg open to hatch.
20 June, 2022.
Slide # GWB_20220620_9979.CR2
Use of this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission is not permitted.
© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.
Tags: American Coot Fulica americana Alberta Birds Breeding Rallidae wetland young
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A drake Redhead (Aythya americana) in the moult stage. It is not the majestic bird shown in bird identification guides but a necessary part of the annual cycle for these birds. It was observed on a small wetland west of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
20 June, 2022.
Slide # GWB_20220620_9773.CR2
Use of this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission is not permitted.
© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.
Tags: Aythya americana Diving Duck Alberta Anatidae Birds Marsh Moult Redhead Waterfowl
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A Northwestern Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) patrolling the waters of a small wetland west of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
22 June, 2022.
Slide # GWB_20220622_0562.CR2
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© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.
Tags: Northwestern Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus Alberta Mammals Marsh Muridae
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A Gadwall (Anas strepera) in the moult stage which it undergoes on an annual basis. This bird was on a wetland to the west of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
If you look closely you will observed very worn and ragged flight feathers on this bird.
20 June, 2022.
Slide # GWB_20220620_9804.CR2
Use of this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission is not permitted.
© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.
Tags: Anas strepera Dabbling Duck Alberta Anatidae Birds Gadwall Marsh Moult Waterfowl
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A male Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) patrolling his territory on a small wetland west of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
22 June, 2022.
Slide # GWB_20220622_0552.CR2
Use of this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission is not permitted.
© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.
Tags: Diving Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Ruddy Duck Alberta Birds Breeding Waterfowl
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