
Anas acuta
HOW TO IDENTIFY:
* Length: 18.5 inches Wingspan: 35 inches * Medium-sized dabbling duck with very long neck, small head and attenuated rear * Juvenile similar to adult female
Adult male alternate:
* Alternate plumage worn from fall through early summer * Pale gray bill with black stripe down center * Dark brown head * White neck, breast and belly with white finger extending up back of neck to rear part of face * Gray flanks and back with black centers to back feathers * Whitish patch at rear portion of flanks bordering undertail coverts * Black undertail coverts * Long, black central tail feathers * Green speculum with white rear border and chestnut forward border
Adult male basic:
* Similar to adult female but retains green speculum
Adult female:
* Gray bill * Tan head and neck * Mottled tan and dark brown back and body plumage, paler on belly * Brown speculum with white rear border
Similar species:
Adult male unmistakable in alternate plumage. Females, immature and eclipse-plumage males are similar to many other female ducks but have a distinctive shape: very long-necked, small-headed and pointed-tailed. Note also female's brown speculum bordered at the rear by white.
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