Ring-Necked Duck
by Robert Bales
Title
Ring-Necked Duck
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Found this Ring-Necked duck in a pond in Nevada while it was migrating North.
Ring-necked Ducks are small to medium sized diving ducks. The adult male is similar in color pattern to the Eurasian Tufted Duck, its relative. Males are a little bit bigger than the female. It has two white rings surrounding its gray bill, a shiny black angular head, black back, white line on the wings, a white breast and yellow eyes. The adult female has a grayish brown angular head and body with a dark brown back, a dark bill with a more subtle light band than the male, grayish-blue feet and brown eyes with white rings surrounding them. Females also make a noise like trrr. The cinnamon neck ring is usually difficult to observe, which is why the bird is sometimes referred to as a "ringbill"
The male Ring-necked Duck is a sharply marked bird of gleaming black, gray, and white. Females are rich brown with a delicate face pattern. At distance, look for this species� distinctive, peaked head to help you identify it. Even though this species dives for its food, you can find it in shallow wetlands such as beaver swamps, ponds, and bays. Of all the diving duck species, the Ring-necked Duck is most likely to drop into small ponds during migration.
Ring-necked Ducks are often in small flocks and pairs, diving to feed on mollusks, invertebrates, and submerged aquatic vegetation. Sometimes they flock with scaup; other times you may see them with dabbling ducks.
Look for Ring-necked Ducks on smaller bodies of water than other diving ducks. In winter and on migration, this can include beaver ponds, small lakes, marshes, cattle ponds, or even flooded agricultural fields across North America. Ring-necked Ducks breed in freshwater marshes, bogs, and other shallow, often acidic wetlands.
Uploaded
April 9th, 2014
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Viewed 1,460 Times - Last Visitor from Ottawa, ON - Canada on 03/28/2024 at 5:36 AM
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Comments (56)
I'ina Van Lawick
Wonderful colors and clarity, Robert. One of my favorite birds. They always make me smile. LF
Robert Bales replied:
Sure glad you enjoyed the duck and thanks for the visit and comments along with the LF!!
Don Columbus
Congratulations, your work is Featured in "Birds In Focus" I invite you to place it in the group's "2020-2021 Featured Image Archive" Discussion!! L/Tweet
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #16 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist.....L/F/Tw
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks, Christopher for the wonderful information and the nice discussion!! Thanks for the LFTw!!
JOHN TELFER
Robert, Excellent detailed capture of this Ring-Necked Duck, love the great clarity in this photo. I have nominated this image for a Special Feature in the group, 1000 Views LF
Joel E Blyler
Outstanding capture of this Ring-necked Duck, Robert! Congrats on all of your features! L/F