I saw my first ring-necked ducks of 2008 at Black Dog Lake in the
Minnesota Valley NWR on March 24th.
I almost missed the ring-necked because they were mixed in with a bunch of scaup, which at first glance from a ways away look similar.
The most interesting thing about ring-necked ducks is that they do have a ring or collar of chestnut colored feathers on the back of their neck, however the only way to really view the ring is by having the bird in hand. This is one of the ducks that was no doubt named by hunters who could see the ring-neck after they retrieved the bird.
I almost missed the ring-necked because they were mixed in with a bunch of scaup, which at first glance from a ways away look similar.
The most interesting thing about ring-necked ducks is that they do have a ring or collar of chestnut colored feathers on the back of their neck, however the only way to really view the ring is by having the bird in hand. This is one of the ducks that was no doubt named by hunters who could see the ring-neck after they retrieved the bird.
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