Waterfowl Hunting in Delacroix Island in Southeast Louisiana
Duck ID. Warning, bad pic
Hey guys, years ago (before I knew foreign ducks as well as I do now) I killed a duck that I was unsure what it was. This duck resembled a larger version of a bufflehead but I knew it wasn't. I distinctly remember the bill resembling a snow goose's bill but itwas all black and felt thicker than other ducks iv killed. For the most part the duck didnt have any color mostly black gray and white. For years I wondered what kind of duck this was but thought I'd never know. Recently while going through some old pics I came across some pice of this exact hunt. I looked and looked and figured the duck was either left out of the pic or burriedunder others. Well, I might be wrong. I found a duck seperated from the others which were in a pile. This makes sence it was there because a few people looked at it trying to make an id. Now im not sure if this even is the same duck im talking about but heres why I think it is. The duck obviously is a diver. It has little color and it has yellow'ish' feet. (like a hooded mergansers). This drastically reduces the posibilaties of what it could be to a scooter, hoodie, harlequin, or goldeneye. Judging by the foot color in the pic being yellow. This eliminates the bufflehead. I know it wasnt a Hoodie because of the bill so this relly brings me to believe it was a goldeneye hen or juvenille drake. Only problem is im as far south east in louisiana as you can go. We never see them down here and I only known one person who has actually killed one. Im posting up a pic but Im warning you, the pic is bad. Its a pic of a pic and you cant see the bill at all but maby someone who kills them frequently can spot something and help me make an Id Or someone with some computer knowledge can lighten it up and help me out.
March 19, 2012 at 1:49am
Best guess on this one would be a common goldeneye hen. The hens are basically black/white/grey with brownish head and have a thick bill as you described. It's been a long time, but I have bagged a couple drakes and a couple of hens in SE Louisiana marsh over the years.