Greater Scaup, Whale Rock Reservoir, Cayucos, CA

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Red-tailed Hawk, juvenile, Gillis Canyon Road, Shandon, CA

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Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), Oso Flaco, CA

Birds of the World: Common Ruddy Duck behavioral displays

- Bubbling Display - Courtship
Male holds head and tail and 2 rows of feathers on crown ("horns") erect, inflates neck; begins beating bill slowly at first against neck, forcing air out of feathers, causing bubbles to appear in water; beating intensifies toward end of display with concomitant movement of tail over back and head moved slightly forward over water; low belching sound uttered at end.

- Display Flight - Courtship
Male holds head and tail erect; suddenly lowers tail into water and begins to run across water's surface (3–4 m) with back hunched, head/neck held forward and slightly downward, beating his wings as if to take flight; feet slapping water make popping sound.

- Tail Flash - Courtship
Male approaches female to within 0.5 m with head and tail erect, quickly turns away from her, displaying stiff tail and white undertail-coverts.

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Greater Yellowlegs, Turri Road Tidal Ponds, Los Osos, CA

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Long-billed Dowitcher, Turri Road Tidal Ponds, Los Osos, CA

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