![]() Nests are placed in tree cavities near water. It seeks freshwater lakes and small ponds to spend the summer. ![]() The common goldeneye ranges throughout north America, but mainly breeds in the northern states and Canada. Young fledge in 40 to 45 days and then gather with other broods in offshore flocks. They will also use offshore islands in the arctic when foxes are common on the mainland. It eats mainly eelgrass as well as sea lettuce and the occasional crustacean, mollusk and marine worm.īlack Brant nest in depressions in the coastal arctic tundra that are lined with vegetation, down or moss and lichens where they usually lay five eggs. Like other brant, the Black Brant feed on marine vegetation in the shallow subtidal and intertidal zones. The brant also flies faster, lower to the water and in a more ragged formation than do Canada geese. At 25 inches, the Black Brant is several inches larger than a Mallard duck and can be distinguished from it’s larger relative, the Canada Goose, by it’s small size, short neck, dark color and lack of a white patch on the cheek. Some bird specialists have suggested that there is a third subspecies of Brant that winters in northern Puget Sound and is intermediate in the degree of blackness between the Black and American. While both subspecies sport a multi-banded white neck patch, the American Brant has a lighter colored breast. The Great Blue Heron is the largest North American Heron and is wide spread and common throughout the United States and Canada in both fresh and salt water areas. Adults over-winter along the shoreline and can be seen hunting in almost any kind of weather. After fledging the young disperse around the area leading to crowding in prime hunting grounds. The young eat mainly small fish delivered by the harried parents. One colony can be observed in the Spring along McAllister Creek in the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Several large colonies are located in south Puget Sound. Great Blue Herons nest in large groups in tall trees near the water. The Great Blue Heron feeds mainly during the day, but occasionally will hunt at night. They even eat mice and other small mammals while patrolling open fields. When fishing in freshwater, herons eat frogs, fish and crayfish. To avoid getting spines or fins stuck in its throat, the heron shifts the unlucky dinner to a head-first position and then swallows. ![]() When prey is spotted, the neck unfurls hurling the head forward with lightening speed grabbing the unlucky meal. Hatching occurs after 23-25 days with the young immediately leaving the nest. They often nest far from water, where they build a concealed nest of dry grass and plant stems. Like other dabbling ducks they tend to nest earlier in the season, risking impacts from late winter storms. They leave in early spring for their inland, freshwater breeding sites. including as far north as northern Alaska and both the western and eastern parts of Canada. and Mexico including the Caribbean Islands. The American Wigeon ranges throughout North America with winter sojourns to the southern U.S. ![]() In addition they also come up on lawns to eat the grass. The other interesting aspect of their behavior is that they feed heavily on marine vegetation, mainly Sea Lettuce, during their winter layover. The call is very unusual and fun to listen to. While feeding along the shoreline they communicate with other flock members using a high whistling call. Hybridization between the species regularly occurs. The Eurasian Wigeon male has a dark rufus head with a muted white crown. However both males and females will occasionally stray south to Puget Sound. A close cousin, the Eurasian Wigeon, normally winters in the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea.
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