Today on BirdingPI.com, a great recent sighting of one of Lake Erie’s most amazing winter visitors!
No, sorry, Double-crested Cormorant, it’s a pair of beautiful Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) at South Pier:
Above, a beautiful male @ non-breeding plumage. Below, male on right w/ immature on left:
Throwing in some Ring-billed Gull close-ups, same day/location, just for fun:
Hopefully many more Long-tailed Ducks to come!
question: what is the purpose of such a long tail? Other than being very pretty…..
Long-tailed Ducks are one of the best diving ducks around – per various sources like All About Birds, they spend more time underwater than any other diving duck. Perhaps it’s an adaptation relating to diving activity. Or more likely, since it’s adult males with the long tail, probably meant for attracting females. (Along with the male’s relatively colorful patterning.)