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

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© 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

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© 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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