Spatula cyanoptera
February 22, 2003: Coyote Hills Regional Park, Alameda, CA
In looking through the bird book the previous night, I was looking forward to the possibility of seeing these birds, as they are to be found in the area. I was in luck, and saw several throughout the day. My first were a pair, and later I saw a group of four males and one female. The males appeared to be fighting amongst themselves – flying and chasing one another around the pond. They are beautiful ducks.
October 2, 2004: Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, Marin County, CA
Saw several of these lovely birds, including one that I had in the scope in which all the plumage colors – rust, periwinkle and green – were visible. Pretty.
January 22, 2005: Rush Creek Open Space Preserve, Marin County, CA
Just saw one of these, asleep on an island in the marsh. Not a good look, but it’s the best photo I’ve taken to date.
January 30, 2005: Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, Marin County, CA
Spotted a few of these birds in the marshy area on the far side of the first pond, in a mixed flock of waterfowl. Such pretty birds.
February 2, 2005: Waterbird Regional Preserve/McNabney Marsh, Contra Costa County, CA
March 29, 2005: Ballona Creek and Wetlands, Los Angeles, CA
A few of these ducks on the marsh.
May 6, 2007: Farmington Bay Wilderness Management Area, Davis County, UT
Seen in the Great Salt Lake Marina.
February 17, 2023: Ellis Creek, Petaluma, CA
A couple of these birds were seen on one of the interior ponds. I was only able to spot one of them, and it wasn’t a great look. It’s good to know they’re around, though.
Let me know what you think!