Perfect timing for this informative video as I will be duck watching tomorrow. I will forever be a novice bird watcher. But thanks to Bob's videos, I'll be a better novice birdwatcher.
Great Video Bob, these videos where you tackle a family/group all at once are awesome. Looking forward to the Sea Duck Video. Hope we get another North Maine Woods video this winter as well, that might be my favorite environment you go to.
I can guarantee another northern video. I am aching to get into the woods. It doesn't look like a big finch year in Maine, but there's always something going on. Plus, it's awesomely quiet and peaceful, except for the occasional moose.
Thank you for helping me sort out the ducks. Truly useful info. I enjoyed the "every duck is a mallard until it isn't." Out here on the left coast, I quess we could say that every hawk is a Redtail until it isn't.
Greetings from the SF Bay Area. It’s taken years for my duck ID skills to sink in, and they’re largely impression-based rather than field mark recognition. Right now is a great time here for Hooded Mergansers, Goldeneyes, Canvasbacks, teals, and others. Great video!
Your videos bring such joy, thank you. I was very fortunate in that at the beginning of my birding education in the 80’s, I joined the Denver Field Ornithologists, which at the time was he only birding group in the country that met every weekend, year round. (And they proudly told you). One of my first trips was shorebirds in them Rocky Mountains, and I witnessed and VERY animated ‘discussion’ between several charter members (who were in their 70’s) about the ID. Now 40 years later, if I don’t know what it is, I shrug and don’t get upset. Valuable lesson learned.
A valuable lesson I learned too late in life: it's OK to misidentify a bird. In fact, it's great. I learn so much more from the birds I get wrong than the ones I get right. Nowadays I treasure every error.
I have trouble telling the different kinds of ducks apart. I haven't quite made it past the ditty "if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck."
Another good video in the can, Bob. But I don't remember you mentioning the bufflehead ducks. We get a few here in middle Tennessee at one of our city ponds every year. I live nearby so I seldom miss any of our waterfowl visitors through the winter. I can't believe how many different species I have photographed on our little 5 acre pond over the years, many of whom are far from their normal flyways and feeding areas.
Indeed, buffleheads will star in the next video. Although they can also be on fresh water inland, I see them exclusively in saltwater in Maine in the winter, so that's what all my footage is. However, one of the funniest sights I ever saw was a bunch of buffleheads swimming with alligators in South Carolina.
Great video Bob! Going to incorporate some of these tells and tricks out in the field. Unfortunately for me in Utah we get Cinnamon Teal. Don’t know if I’ll ever crack the difference between female cinnamon and blue winged teal
Well, I probably won't remember all that, but it was helpful. I usually just take picture's of any water fowl and try to identify them later. Mostly blurry, because most of the time they're far away. I only have a Nikon 950. We've had a Cinnamon Teel or 2 in Michigan I unfortunately missed them. Was is the key on taking clear picture's of duck's on the water? Or any bird on water? We have Ruddy ducks. I think they're cute. Thank you! You're funny!
The key for me is likely to be the same for many. Shoot a lot and hope one of them comes out OK. Usually the video camera's automatic focus is OK, but I have to watch the exposure and shutter speed carefully. It's way easy to mess up a shot with settings that were fooled by the background light. Plus, unless I'm on a tripod, shoot the fastest speed I can or the jiggle of handheld will make it a little blurry.
Nothing replaces practice. I find now the best way to identify from far away is based on their wing beat. No two species of duck beat their wings the same way. Love the video, I’m glad there are other duck nuts out there. Also lesser and greater bluebills I tell apart by size but I live and hunt one of their main flyways so I see a TON of scaup. Also the white extends much further in the speculum on the greater, which is a good way to tell from far away if they are flying. If you ever have the chance to see a lesser and a greater flying side by side you’ll know what I mean. My favorite duck is the Bufflehead. Playful little things and fun to watch. Also they taste great plucked and roasted
Agreed about the flight patterns. Maybe a future video, though usable footage is hard to get. And, I'm happy to say, buffleheads will star in the next video. Love 'em.
This vid is amazing! I’m a 2nd year duck hunter and sometimes trying to identify them can be a pain. I got a female shoveler the other day and had no idea it was a shoveler until I watched this.. i literally just just thought I shot a small hen mallard with a goofy giant bill this entire time.
Indiana use to have point system for hunting different breeds different points. Same with hens and drakes . You had to know your birds. Haven't hunted for 40 years don't know if it's still in effect
Yes, they'll be starring in the next one. They are comfortable on both, but where I am, they're primarily a sea duck. So all my footage is on salt water
To identify hen cinnamon teal and hen blue wing teal. Its a very minute difference but a hen blue wing has a more grey appearance with almost a blue tint with small black dots on it that is smaller compared to the cinnamon teal. The hen cinnamon teal has a blacker bill and it is noticably larger than the blue wing
I’m a duck hunter… sorry birders! But I love ducks, and even though I can ID them just fine on the water and on the fly, I thought your video was great!
I've found a good secret to identifying ducks is to go birding with someone who owns a scope and to let them identify them.
I find that a spotting scope enables me to misidentify a duck from farther away.
@Bob_Duchesne 🤣 incredibly true
I hear ya! Lol
Perfect timing for this informative video as I will be duck watching tomorrow. I will forever be a novice bird watcher. But thanks to Bob's videos, I'll be a better novice birdwatcher.
Great Video Bob, these videos where you tackle a family/group all at once are awesome. Looking forward to the Sea Duck Video. Hope we get another North Maine Woods video this winter as well, that might be my favorite environment you go to.
I can guarantee another northern video. I am aching to get into the woods. It doesn't look like a big finch year in Maine, but there's always something going on. Plus, it's awesomely quiet and peaceful, except for the occasional moose.
Thank you for helping me sort out the ducks. Truly useful info. I enjoyed the "every duck is a mallard until it isn't."
Out here on the left coast, I quess we could say that every hawk is a Redtail until it isn't.
As a duck hunter and a watcher of wildlife this was entertaining & educational.
So glad that your channel is finally getting the recogition that it deserves. Happy Holiday's Bob.
I hope it doesn't inspire to work harder. I'm supposed to be leisurely enjoying my retirement.
@@Bob_Duchesne Lol
Another gem of a video from Bob. Legend
Legend! Please tell my wife.
Saw my first Northern Shoveler yesterday. Thanks for the great vids
I have a special fondness for shovelers.
Excellent video! I just got my first Common Goldeneye in NC last week. I’m hoping to find a couple more of these species before the new year!
Greetings from the SF Bay Area. It’s taken years for my duck ID skills to sink in, and they’re largely impression-based rather than field mark recognition. Right now is a great time here for Hooded Mergansers, Goldeneyes, Canvasbacks, teals, and others. Great video!
I've only done San Francisco in summer. Been thinking I should get to know another coastline besides the Atlantic.
Fantastic!!! Can’t wait for the sea ducks!
This was enormously helpful. Thank you! It helped me verify that the redhead I just saw was in fact, a redhead!
And, boy, they can collect in huge flocks, especially in North Carolina and Texas. Awesome numbers.
Your videos bring such joy, thank you.
I was very fortunate in that at the beginning of my birding education in the 80’s, I joined the Denver Field Ornithologists, which at the time was he only birding group in the country that met every weekend, year round. (And they proudly told you). One of my first trips was shorebirds in them Rocky Mountains, and I witnessed and VERY animated ‘discussion’ between several charter members (who were in their 70’s) about the ID. Now 40 years later, if I don’t know what it is, I shrug and don’t get upset. Valuable lesson learned.
A valuable lesson I learned too late in life: it's OK to misidentify a bird. In fact, it's great. I learn so much more from the birds I get wrong than the ones I get right. Nowadays I treasure every error.
"Everything is a mallard, till it isn't" is perfect.
Yeah, it's not anything someone thinks about. I catch myself doing it. The first thing my brain asks when I see a duck is, "is it a mallard?"
Awesome lesson in duck identification Bob So many varieties...I know one...🦆🦆🦆🦆 Mallards 😅 Great Job Bob from beautiful Maine 😊
I have trouble telling the different kinds of ducks apart. I haven't quite made it past the ditty "if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck."
When deciding a video topic, I often ask myself, "what am I terrible at?" Ducks embarrass me way too often.
This was great; really enjoyed it and your delivery! 🙏👍 From Sophia, N.C.
You forgot the easiest black and white (and my favorite) Bufflehead!
He's starring in the next video. They are too cute to ignore.
Another good video in the can, Bob. But I don't remember you mentioning the bufflehead ducks. We get a few here in middle Tennessee at one of our city ponds every year. I live nearby so I seldom miss any of our waterfowl visitors through the winter. I can't believe how many different species I have photographed on our little 5 acre pond over the years, many of whom are far from their normal flyways and feeding areas.
Indeed, buffleheads will star in the next video. Although they can also be on fresh water inland, I see them exclusively in saltwater in Maine in the winter, so that's what all my footage is. However, one of the funniest sights I ever saw was a bunch of buffleheads swimming with alligators in South Carolina.
Bob , great video!!! A lot of great tips!!
Keep in mind, I learned all this stuff by making a ton of previous mistakes! Ducks are hard.
What about Bufflehead???
Buffleheads are special. They'll have a starring role in the next video. Love 'em.
Thanks Bob, your knowledge continues to astound me. Wondering if you were a broadcaster?
How did you guess? Yes, radio for many years.
@@Bob_Duchesne your cadence and enunciation are exceptional!
Very informative and detailed video thank you!
Great video Bob! Going to incorporate some of these tells and tricks out in the field. Unfortunately for me in Utah we get Cinnamon Teal. Don’t know if I’ll ever crack the difference between female cinnamon and blue winged teal
Utah is bumping up to the top of my must-do list. I guess I'll have to study up.
you're a legend, bob! thank you for the wonderful tips, always :)
LOL. I only know some of this stuff because I've made every possible mistake for most of my life.
@@Bob_Duchesne that's the most effective way to learn!
Well, I probably won't remember all that, but it was helpful. I usually just take picture's of any water fowl and try to identify them later. Mostly blurry, because most of the time they're far away. I only have a Nikon 950. We've had a Cinnamon Teel or 2 in Michigan I unfortunately missed them. Was is the key on taking clear picture's of duck's on the water? Or any bird on water? We have Ruddy ducks. I think they're cute. Thank you! You're funny!
The key for me is likely to be the same for many. Shoot a lot and hope one of them comes out OK. Usually the video camera's automatic focus is OK, but I have to watch the exposure and shutter speed carefully. It's way easy to mess up a shot with settings that were fooled by the background light. Plus, unless I'm on a tripod, shoot the fastest speed I can or the jiggle of handheld will make it a little blurry.
@Bob_Duchesne Thank's! that is mostly my prob. I never use a Tripod.
Nothing replaces practice. I find now the best way to identify from far away is based on their wing beat. No two species of duck beat their wings the same way. Love the video, I’m glad there are other duck nuts out there. Also lesser and greater bluebills I tell apart by size but I live and hunt one of their main flyways so I see a TON of scaup. Also the white extends much further in the speculum on the greater, which is a good way to tell from far away if they are flying. If you ever have the chance to see a lesser and a greater flying side by side you’ll know what I mean. My favorite duck is the Bufflehead. Playful little things and fun to watch. Also they taste great plucked and roasted
Agreed about the flight patterns. Maybe a future video, though usable footage is hard to get. And, I'm happy to say, buffleheads will star in the next video. Love 'em.
@ yes video on the flight patterns is almost impossible. Only really the naked eye can see it. Happy Sunday, Bob!
I think one of the most easy ducks to identify is bufflehead, mainly because there really anything that looks very similar to them
Yup. They'll get a starring role in the next video.
Everything is a Mallard. So true. I have grown to love the green iridescence.
This vid is amazing! I’m a 2nd year duck hunter and sometimes trying to identify them can be a pain. I got a female shoveler the other day and had no idea it was a shoveler until I watched this.. i literally just just thought I shot a small hen mallard with a goofy giant bill this entire time.
Indiana use to have point system for hunting different breeds different points. Same with hens and drakes . You had to know your birds. Haven't hunted for 40 years don't know if it's still in effect
Liked your video. I didn't see you mention a Buffle Head. Are you classifying them as sea ducks??
Yes, they'll be starring in the next one. They are comfortable on both, but where I am, they're primarily a sea duck. So all my footage is on salt water
To identify hen cinnamon teal and hen blue wing teal. Its a very minute difference but a hen blue wing has a more grey appearance with almost a blue tint with small black dots on it that is smaller compared to the cinnamon teal. The hen cinnamon teal has a blacker bill and it is noticably larger than the blue wing
Clearly I have to head west and practice. I'm way too far east.
@ yep, we get a few of each come through while migrating
I don’t care about ducks but Bob makes me think I should
Nobody can make me care about immature gulls.
Good information,thanks for the informative video
Great video! Thank you
Excellent, thanks
Nice video!
I’m a duck hunter… sorry birders! But I love ducks, and even though I can ID them just fine on the water and on the fly, I thought your video was great!
Thanks. And I'm OK with hunting. In fact, I give Ducks Unlimited a lot of credit for waterfowl conservation.
I didn't finish the video but I would definitely finish a video on ocean ducks. Don't let the algorithm tell you what I want!
The good news is - ocean birds will be MUCH easier to do. They're all near me along the Maine coast.
What not was😜