AQUATIC BIRDS

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA Ancestor of most strains of domesticated and self-domesticated duck, the wild Mallard generally arouses little interest but remains a smart and elegant duck. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA Mallard ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA Before the splash, Common goldeneye courtship display ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA The Common Goldeneye is one of the 6 species of arboreal duck found in Québec. Their nesting requires the presence of snags or sufficiently large and mature trees where these ducks find the cavities they need for laying. A 2002 study, demonstrated that on average 300m separated the nesting site from the nearest body of water. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA The very territorial Common Goldeneye are particularly expressive and vocal during courtship. Displays of males include abruptly whipping the water backwards while throwing their head in the same direction while calling. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA Although brood parasitism is relatively common in some species of ducks, the redhead has the greatest tendency of all ducks to carry out this behaviour. Females will parasitize the nests of their peers or that of other ground-nesting duck species. Some females will be completely parasitic and will never incubate their own eggs. ©André Bhérer

OUTAOUAIS, QC. Canada The male Wood duck is one of the few north american duck to have a red iris. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC, CA A duck of woodland the wood duck favors water bodies surrounded by mixed and deciduous forest. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA The name of ‟spattererˮ has often been attached to the American Coot. He uses different splashing techniques to scare or distract potential predator or warn its congener. Among these a less documented behavior is perching on the edge of his nest or standing on a submerged surface and noisily slapping his large webbed feet on the water to challenge other males while indicating his presence to potential partners. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC, CA Just like the cinnamon teal (western part of the country) and the male northern shoveler, the blue-winged teal has blue upperwing and the bright green speculum (mirror). The white crescent underlined with black under the eye is unique to the latter. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA In order to propel itself out of the water and take off, the American Coot will have to flap its wings intensely and run on water using its large webbed legs. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA Although relatively common in central and western Canada nesting of Red-necked Grebe in Quebec has only been observed within the city limits of Rouyn-Noranda. This bird prefer shallow often eutrophic water bodies to breed and build its nest which is a floating mass of plant material anchored to emergent vegetation. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA Discreet during the winter season, the red-necked grebe is rather raucous on its nesting territories. ©André Bhérer

OUTAOUAIS, QC, CA Horned grebe quartet sinking into the opaque early morning mist of autumn. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA The nickname "Hell diver" has been attributed to the Pied-billed Grebe by the old gunners. This nickname was referring to his ability to respond to the flash of a fowling piece by submerging quickly under water without making a ripple and reappearing a few hundred feet away. ©André Bhérer

NORD-DU-QUÉBEC, QC.CA Greater yellowlegs watching over its boreal forest. ©André Bhérer

NORTH-OF-QUEBEC, QC. CA In a peat bog in the heart of the boreal forest a resounding sound is heard, becoming ceaseless these calls quickly approaches. You have been spotted by the guardian of the place, the Greater Yellowlegs, the alarm system of this vast country. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC. CA Having faced extinction in the early twentieth century, the Trumpeter Swan quietly resurfaced in parts of southern Canada through reintroduction program. It is the largest representative of the waterfowls. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC. CA The Ruddy Duck courtship display mainly consists of beating his beak remarkably fast against his breast. This will invite air to escape from his feather and create a froth of bubbles on the water surface. ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TEMISCAMINGUE, QC. Canada The nesting of the Ruddy Duck is sporadic in some areas of Quebec including the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region where individuals are seen during the summer almost every year. All Rights Reserved ©André Bhérer

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE, QC.CA The bufflehead is our smallest diving duck. That hole-nesting duck benefits from its small size to use cavities of smaller dimensions than those needed by other ducks with the same habits. In Quebec, its nesting territory is more concentrated in the North West area it is during the spring and fall migrations that this duck can be observed throughout the south of the province. ©André Bhérer

OUTAOUAIS, QC.CA Master in camouflage this American Bittern presence was betrayed by its unique calls. ©André Bhérer

OUTAOUAIS, QC.CA Under the cover of the silver maple trees a Black-crowned Night Heron is standing still waiting patiently for slightest movement in the marsh. In Quebec, this heron is more commonly observed along the St. Lawrence and the southern portion of the Ottawa River. ©André Bhérer

OUTAOUAIS, QC. Canada Great blue heron grooming itself. ©André Bhérer

OUTAOUAIS, QC. CA Common Loon on nest contrasting with its environment. ©André Bhérer

OUTAOUAIS, QC.CA Despite the clinging winter, the arrival of Canada Gooses is a sign of milder temperatures. ©André Bhérer

OUTAOUAIS, QC.CA Canada Geese flying in formation signaling a change of season. ©André Bhérer