marcone@math.psu.edu (Alberto G. Marcone) (05/14/91)
This morning I saw on a lake here in Central Pennsylvania a diving duck I couldn't identify and I would appreciate any help... Most part of the face, down until below the eye, was white. Probably a narrow line at the base of the bill was black. The bill was bright orange with possibly a dark tip. The neck down to the water line was black or at least very dark: the line separating the black from the white was diagonal, rising toward the back of the head. The flanks were deep brown, while the wings were chestnut and the area around the tail was white. The bird was diving for 45 seconds-1 minute, then coming up for about 20 seconds before another dive. I would say that it was slightly smaller than a mallard, but size judgments are always difficult. My first guess was a male oldsquaw (for the face pattern) but flanks and wings did not match and I didn't see any oldsquaw-like tail (is it possible that the needle-plumes of the oldsquaw get wet and just don't show up while the bird is repeatedly diving?) Thank you in advance for any suggestions. Alberto Marcone marcone@math.psu.edu