THE BIRDS OF SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA

ORDER Anseriformes

FAMILY Anatidae SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS

FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor) Casual winter visitor

Although the Fulvous Whistling Duck (formerly "Tree-Duck") is a common summer resident of the rice fields of south-central and southwest Louisiana, it is rarely encountered this far east. Except for an undated December record of a bird shot near Labranche in the early 1970's (fide RJS), this species went unrecorded from 1934 until February 1978. The records are Jan. 22, 1870, New Orleans (fide HCO); Oct. 1892, Lake Catherine (fide GEBin HCO); Jan. 1900, Rigolets (fide GEB in HCO); Nov. 2, 1934, in the delta (AD--captured); Feb. 12-14?, 1978 New Orleans (JW,m.ob.--45) and Mar. 12, 1978, White Kitchen (MM,NN,JR,RDP--45), almost certainly the same flock; ....at Venice. (NN,RDP, GC); Sep. 9, 1990 Bayou Sauvage? (JHa); Dec. 23, 1990 Orleans Parish (DM--).....; Dec. 26, 1992, New Orleans (RH,JHa--13)....At least 3 were present among Black-bellied Whislting-Ducks in New Orleans’ Audubon Park in Dec-Jan 2005-6 (LO’M).

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis) Locally common in winter, increasing breeder

The first record of this specie in SE Louisiana was of one shot by a hunter in St. Charles Parish on Nov. 28, 1983 (fide RJS). It became increasingly common in southwestern Louisiana, where free-flying flocks, supposedly from Rockefeller Refuge, had been known for some time. Since about 1990 there have been repeated sightings of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks on or near the Mississippi R. upstream from New Orleans (PY, NLN. RDP), usually between the Huey Long and Hale Boggs Bridges, but at least as far downriver as Audubon Park. Since 2002 (at least) “Hundreds” have been seen flying from Audubon Zoo across and upriver (fide RDP, CB) in 2004. In the winter of 2005-6, peak numbers on the Audubon Park lagoon reached 1160 (RDP–30 Jan 2006). Reportedly, they have nested on Monsanto Chemical property upriver from New Orleans on the West Bank of the river, and recently they have bred on Bayou Sauvage NWR, including 4-5 broods on the seemingly late date of ...September 2004 . (PW,DM,MM,RDP,et al).

TUNDRA SWAN (Cygnus columbianus) Casual winter visitor

There are eight records of Tundra Swan (previously Whistling Swan) from Southeastern Louisiana. Although not all of the sight records can definitely be assigned to this species (rather than the next), it is more than reasonable to assume that they all are of C. columbianus. The known records are Jan. 15, 1933, Main Pass (WEN--3, 1*); Dec. 18, 1960, Bosco (fide JLH); Jan. 30-31, .... , Rigolets (SAG); Dec. 31, 1977, New Orleans (JK, et al) and Jan. 14, 1978 (MH), presumably the same individual; Dec. 14, 1980, Gheens, an individual caught in a Nutrea trap and brought to Audubon Zoo, where it died; Nov. 22, 1984, Labranche (fide RJS) 12 birds of which one was shot, and the head delivered to Stein; Dec. 2, 1984 to at least Jan. 1, 1985, Madisonville (RDP,DM,MM,NN--3). Photographs of the latter bird (American Birds....) show it to have been a Tundra Swan. Subsequently, two Tundra Swans, assumed to be part of the earlier group, were present near Folsom into February (fide CS), and on April 16, 1999 two swans, assumed to be of this species and definitely not Mutes, were seen at Caminada Pass, Grand Isle (MG,JK).

TRUMPETER SWAN (Cygnus buccinator) FORMERLY

The evidence for the occurrence of this species in Southeastern Louisiana comes from the young swan which Audubon painted in New Orleans and which he claimed was short near Barataria on Dec. 16, 1822 (Ornithological Biography, Vol IV, p. 541). The LOS Bird Records Committee has recently reaffirmed the status of the Trumpeter Swan on the Louisiana list, largely because of this record. In Birds of America , Vol. VI, Audubon wrote "At New Orleans, where I made the drawing of the young bird here given, the Trumpeters are frequently exposed for sale in the markets, being procured on the ponds of the interior, and in the great lakes leading to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico." Arthur gives another record for Louisiana, which probably deserves little credence.

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Anser albifrons) Uncommon to rare in winter

Although quite common in southwest Louisiana, the White-fronted Goose is not often encountered in this area. No doubt it is more common than actual records indicate, since few winter trips are made to likely feeding areas--Delta NWR, for example. This species is probably less common than formerly, but has reported increased since the 1950's in southwest Louisiana. White-fronted Geese arrive as early as about Oct. 20 and depart in late March to early April; the earliest fall record is Oct. 13, 1959.

SNOW GOOSE (Chen caerulescens) Common to uncommon in winter in the delta.

Although significant numbers of geese--mostly Snow Geese--winter in southeast Louisiana, they are usually not accessible to the birder without the means to venture well into the marsh to favorite feeding locations. Hundreds, at least, will be seen on a boat trip to Delta NWR. Otherwise, records are simply opportunistic, of small flocks seen amost anywhere below U.S. 90, and especially in fall migration, which takes place from mid-October through November. One can hope to encounter Snow Geese in the Bonnet Carre Spillway or near Grand Isle. In southeast Louisiana the blue morph ("Blue Goose") is considerably more common than the white.

Observers should look for Ross's Geese, which are now being found regularly in southwest Louisiana. .

Expected dates of arrival and departure are October 15 and April 15; the earliest fall date is taken to be Oct. 12, 1986 at Grand Isle (JS), but there is an Aug. 8, 1974 record from Reserve (28???), and a report of a flock at Pass-a-Loutre on Sept. ..., 1994 (fide DM).

ROSS’S GOOSE (Chen rosii) Rare to occasional in winter

There are now six records of this diminutive goose from the area, the first being of one which lingered on the London Ave. canal near UNO from ......... (PY, et al). The other records occurred during the winter of 1998-99: .....in Arabi,..... (DPM), and in City Park on Jan. 24, 1999 (DPM,PY), apparently seen earlier by Lisa Pinter, which was still present into the late spring..... The most recent records are of one in St. Tammany on Nov. 25 (24?), 2000 among Snow Geese (MM), two near Venice on Dec. ...., 2001 (MS,CL), and one at New Orleans on February 15, 2004 (CL,PW). One was in Lafreniere Park, Metairie, in March 2004 (JS, et al), and again in June of that year (JS).

For field marks, see the field guides, but Ross’s Geese are distinctly small, short-necked, and have more rapid wing-beats, when seen in flight. They are not much larger than a Mallard, though they have longer wings. Ross’s Geese also seem to have a predilection for turning up singly in odd situations, with mixed and even domestic waterfowl. They have become quite regular among the huge flocks of Snow Geese in the rice fields of Southwest Louisiana, the frequency of their sighting correlating with the population explosion of Snow Geese. Their scarcity in SE Louisiana is most likely a function of the smaller population of Snow Geese.

BRANT (Branta hernicla) Accidental

There is a single record, of a bird present in New Orleans' City Park Nov. 27-30, 1960 (WJG,SAG,MEL,m.ob.), which was almost certainly the one seen on the New Orleans lakefront in January 1961 (B.Ward). Motion pictures were taken of the City Park bird. There have been two or three records from the rice fields southwest of Lafayette--in company with White-fronted or Canada Geese. There have been at least two recent records from the rice fields of south-central Louisiana.

CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis) Occasional to uncommon locally in winter, perhaps regular in delta

While formerly numerous in the delta in winter, Canada Geese now reach Southeastern Louisiana in only small numbers, e.g., approximately 15 at Delta NWR during the winter of 1982-3 (fide Sam Henson). On the other hand, increasing numbers continent -wide and notably in Sw. Louisiana in winter suggest that they will be seen more frequently in the future. Of course domesticated Canada Geese are everywhere, including New Orleans’ City Park, and one may encounter free flying individuals or even flocks which may be non-migratory almost anywhere.

Perhaps typical of earlier numbers is the figure of 1578 recorded on the Delta NWR Christmas Count on Dec. 23, 1940. Audubon wrote that they were "one of the commonest of the geese in the New Orleans markets during the winter." They have reportedly been seen near Madisonville in recent winters (fide Taylor Guste). Other “recent”records are: Oct. 12, 1958, Reserve (RFC); Dec. 24, 1960, Venice (fide SAG); Sep. 18, 1965, New Orleans (JK); Dec. 26, 1983, New Orleans (MM,RDP,et al); .....at New Orleans (NN,RDP,...), though New Orleans records are somewhat suspect, given the domesticated populations.

Canada Goose has now been split into Canada and Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii). Seven subspecies of Canada Goose are recognized (including the medium-sized parvipes) and four of Cackling. Richardson’s Cackling Goose (B. h. hutchinsii) probably at least occurs in Sw. Louisiana. It is known (Olberholser) that the nominate subspecies, Branta c. canadensis has occurred in SE. Louisiana..

Aproximate expected dates are October 1 to April 15.

WOOD DUCK (Aix spons) Common denizen of swamps and flooded woodlands

The Wood Duck is a rather common inhabitant of bottomland sloughs and swampy woodlands. Winter populations in Louisiana are greatly increased by the arrive of over half of the Wood Ducks which breed in the interior of the United States (Bellrose, 1976). The maximum concentration known to this writer is 200+ near Madisonville in December 1984.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL (Anas crecca) Common winter vistor

About 600,000 Green-winged Teal (one-fifth of the total population) winter in Louisiana. According to Bellrose (1976), they tend to occur in larger flocks than other species. It is the smallest of North American ducks. Expected dates of occurrence are October 15 to April 5. Extreme dates are Sep. 13, 1975, Reserve (MW,RJS--6) and Apr. 23, 1978, Venice (RDP,NN,MM). Perhaps the largest concentration of Green-winged Teal on record is of 2500 on U.S. 11 on Dec. 10, 1989 (NN,RDP).

AMERICAN BLACK DUCK (Anas rubripes) Rare to occasional winter visitor

The difficulty of distinguishing the Black Duck from the Mottled Duck makes the status of the former uncertain at best, and, along with the apparent rarity of Black Duck in Southeast Louisiana, has led to a paucity of records. There are no recent records that have come to the attention of the writer, but hunter kills probably still occur.. Perhaps the only "reliable" field-mark, in addition to the subjective information given in the field guides, is the rather heavy streaking on the throat, head, and neck. The available records span the period November 5 (1926, at the Rigolets) to March 12 (1966, at Cubit's Gap).

There once was consideranble support for lumping Mallard, Black Duck, and Mottled Duck (the Black Duck hybridizes freely with the Mallard), but the current inclination to “split” has made that less likely.

MOTTLED DUCK (Anas fulvigula) Common resident

The Mottled Duck is a conspicuous inhabitant of the coastal marsh at all seasons, and is usually seen in pairs or in very small groups. It is the only duck likely to be encountered, away from Wood Duck habitat, in mid-summer. The Mottled Duck nests most in Spartina patens meadows and marshes. Studies indicate that it is very sedentary.

There has been a significan increase in numbers recorded on New Orleans CBC's since the mid-1960's.

MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) Uncommon to fairly common winter visitor

Although on the order of 400,000 Mallards winter in Louisiana (Bellrose, 1976), the center of concentration is in the west-central part of the state, it is usually less numerous in Se. Louisiana than most of the other puddle ducks. Depending on water conditions, it may be found with other puddle ducks on Bayou Sauvage NW. . Maximum number is 556, on the New Orleans CBC Dec. 26, 1992.

As is true elsewhere, domesticated “mallards” can be found on ponds and lagoons in local parks, in canals, and along the lakefront, where they interbreed with whatever happens along. Expected dates are.....

NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta) Uncommon to sometimes common winter visitor

Although formerly one of the most common and characteristic puddle ducks of the coastal marsh of Southeast Louisiana, the pintal has declined substantially in the past 20 years. It is, nonetheless, still fairly common, using being present in small numbers when there are large concentrations of puddle ducks. Its numbers also fluctuate considerably--it was quite common in the fall of 1988, for example, after very low numbers for several years. Bag limits continue to be low because of questions about reproductive success.

The only “summer” records at hand are of a bird at Labranche, St. Charles Parish, on June 23, 1973 (fide RJS), and a sighting on US 11 in the eastern part of the city on July 28, 1991 (NN). The latter is difficult to classify: was the bird summering, an early migrant, or a cripple?

The expected dates of occurrence are September 1 to April 25; the extremes are Sep. 6, 1981 and April 16, 1917 at Chef Menteur Pass (AMB).

BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors) Abundant migrant and common winter visitor. Occasional in summer.

The Blue-winged Teal is often present in large numbers in spring and fall as birds pass through to the north or sourth. According to Bellrose (1976) there was a great increase in wintering of Blue-winged Teal in coastal Louisiana from the 1950's on, attributed to the effect of hurricanes in opening up the coastal marsh. On the other hand, Gosselink, et al (1979) remark that numbers have since reverted to something like pre-Hurricane Audrey (1957) numbers. Although summer records are not extraordinary, and breeding should be looked for, the Blue-winged Teal is the earliest of the migrant ducks to reach coastal Louisiana in fall.

Expected dates of occurrence are September 1 to April 15; extreme records are August 6, 1959, New Orleans (SAG) and May 20, 1979, Grand Gosier Island.

CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera) Occasional to accidental in winter.

Even in southwestern Louisiana this beautiful duck is quite rare, and in Southeast Louisiana it is rarer still, with fewer than a dozen records. Of these, only five have come from the last three decades and half of the records are more than 90 years old.. Stein reports that the Cinnamon Teal is in fact occasionally taken by hunters in the Laplace-Reserve-Labranche area, where it is known as "gingerbread duck." The known, dated records are: Dec. 1884, Point-a-la-Hache (fide HCO--2*); Dec. 1884, Lake Pontchartrain (fide HCO*); Dec. 1893, Lake Catouache (A. Perilliat--2*); Ec. 1896, Lake Catouache (fide HCO--2*); Jan. 5, 1900, Lake Borgne (Rafael Robin*); Jan. 15, 1911 in the delta (JD*); Dec. 20, 1956, Plaquemines Parish*; Dec. 28, 1986, New Orleans (SAG,BC,CL); Mar. 5, 1987, Fourchon Rd (Lafourche) (CK,PW). A bird which wintered in New Orleans East in 1997-8 (Gousett) and was recorded on t he 1997 CBC, returned the following two winters (GO, m.ob.).

An apparent hybrid Blue-winged X Cinnamon Teal was seen on Blind Lagoon in New Orleans East on ..... and .... 1995 (PW--ph.). (1996?PW?);

NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata) Common winter visitor

The Northern Shoveler is one of the more familiar and common puddle ducks wintering in the coastal marsh. Its numbers probably come after those of Gadwall and Green-winged Teal--and possibly American Wigeon. It primarily inhabits fresh and brackish estuarine marshes and bays, and seems not to be one of the puddle ducks likely to be seen on the waters of the gulf.

Expected dates of occurrence are from October 10 to April 20 and extreme records are Sep. 15, 1979 ... (JR,MB) and May 29, 1967, New Orleans (RDP). There are also at least two summer records: Jun. 17, 1978 at Reserve (MW) and Jun. 16, 1982 at New Orleans (DM).

GADWALL (Anas strepera) Common winter resident

The Gadwall is one of the most common dabbling ducks in winter in Se. Louisiana, and, as mentioned above, ranks with Green-winged Teal, Am. Wigeon, and Shoveler as the most common.

Expected dates are October 20 to about April 15, with extremes of Oct. 5, 1980 at New Orleans (RDP, et al) and Apr. 19, 1969 at Grand Isle.

EURASIAN WIGEON (Anas penelope) Accidental in winter.

There are three records of this species, the only records of live birds ever seen in Louisiana (except over the sights of a shotgun), all of drakes. The first sighting, the first accepted Louisiana record, came from the eastern part of New Orleans ("Recovery I"), between Dec. 14, 1980 and Feb. 8, 1981 (RDP,NN, m.ob.--photos RDP). The second record is of a bird seen on Fourchon Rd, Lafourche Parish, between Jan. 10? and at least Feb. 4, 1990 (GC,m.ob.). Finally, one was seen on a New Orleans CBC on......(MM,RDP).

AMERICAN WIGEON (Anas americana) Common to abundant in winter.

Although the wigeon or "baldpate" is one of the commoner wintering puddle ducks in Southeastern Louisiana, it may have been somewhat more common during the 1960's, as a result, according to Bellrose (1976), of hurricanes breaking up the coastal marsh.

Expected dates of occurrence are October 1 to April 25; extreme dates are Sept. 3, 1977 at Grand Isle and May 8, 1978 at New Orleans (NN,JR,MM).

CANVASBACK (Aythya valisineria) Uncommon to rare in winter.

It is sad to write of the plight of the Canvasback, surely the best-loved of all the ducks. While only a few years ago one or several might be found in deep ponds in the eastern part of the city, urban sprawl and the decline in the Canvasback population have made this duck almost a thing of the past. It is not unusual for a winter to go by without a report of a Canvasback from Southeast Louisiana.

On the other hand 497 were counted flying upriver at dusk on the Dec. 30, 2005 Venice CBC (DM,PW,RS).

Expected dates are November 15 to March 20; while the earliest date of fall arrival is Oct. 29, 1978 (NN,RDP), and latest in spring is May 27, 1995 at Tiger Pass. There is one "summer" record, July 12, 1973 at Venice (RJN,RSK).

REDHEAD (Aythya americana) Quite uncommon in winter.

The fate of the Redhead is only slightly less depressing than that of its congener, the Canvasback. It will, however, be encountered occasionally in winter, usually on Fourchon Rd. in Lafourche Parish, but might be found on deep ponds almost anywhere, including near Ft. Jackson in Plaquemines Parish. Like the Canvasback, although a diving duck, it will often be seen feeding in shallow water in the manner of a puddle duck. Flocks are reported to occur in the Chandeleurs in winter (Smith, 1961); Bellrose gives 20,000 as a typical wintering population for Chandeleur Sound, but whether this continues to be the case is not known. Despite the ravages of Katrina, .... were seen flying upriver from Boothville on the 30 Dec. 2005 Venice CBC (PW,DM,RS).

Expected dates are November 10 to April 15; estreme dates are Oct. 25, 1969 at Grand Isle (RDP,RJN,DN) and May 4, 1969 at Ft. Jackson (WW).

RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris) Common to uncommon winter visitor.

Often found on inland fresh-water lakes and ponds, this species also inhabits brackish estuarine waters. In the city, the best place to find it is in City Park, especially the lagoons off Harrison Ave. It will sometimes be seen on Lake Pontchartrain or along Fourchon Road in Lafourche Parish.

Expected dates are November 5 to April 1 and the earliest date of fall arrival is Sept. 24, 1956 (RF,BMM). There is one summer record, June 28, 1973 on Lake Pontchartrain (MW).

GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) Uncommon (to rare?) in winter.

Because of the difficulty of distinguishing the Greater Scaup from its more common cousin, less is known of the wintering population in this area than one would like. Similarly, it is difficult to assess the differences in relative numbers offshore vs. inshore. Gosselilnk (1979) quotes a figure of about 2% Greater Scaup in southern Lousiana, while Bellrose (1976) calculates a 6.6% figure for Louisiana. Taylor Guste says that Greater Scaup are not infrequently shot on his lands on the lakefront near Madisonville.

The identification problem is difficult, but by no means hopleless. Adult male Greater Scaup are large, white-sided, heavy-billed, and have rounded-looking heads which are iridescent green when seen in good light. The wing stripe extends all across the primaries to the tip of the wing, and is quite dramatic and obvious. (beware of overlap). Female Greater Scaup often have a dusky auricular patch. Usually a combination of characters will be needed to cinch an identification. Brilliant, clean white sides are suggestive, but by no means are all white-sided scaup are Greaters. Maximum: 72 flying upriver at dusk from Boothville on the 30 Dec. 2005 Venice CBC (DM,PW,RS).

The available records span the period November 2 to March 23.

LESSER SCAUP (Aythya affinis) Very common to abundant in winter.

The Lesser Scaup is often very common on Lake Pontchartrain, though sometimes few can be found from the south shore. It is certainly the dominant species of duck on the lake, and often the only species to be found from the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. It normally occurs in large numbers on the near-shore waters of the gulf as well, though, again, it is sometimes unaccountably rare. Approximately 50% of all Lesser Scaup winter in Louisiana; Bellrose (1976) reported something like 500,000 winter on Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain. Although Stanley C. Arthur claimed that an adult with young were found in Lake Borgne in 1915, his reports should always be appraoched with caution.

Expected dates of wintering are October 25 to May 15; extreme dates are Sep. 16, 1983 on Lake Pontchartrain (RDP) and May 28, 1967 at New Orleans (RDP). Summer records in the New Orleans area--especially City Park--are rare, but not unprecedented. They include the following: summer 1958 (SAG),;June 29, 1959 (SAG); June 16, 1982 (DM).

KING EIDER (Somateria spectibilis) Accidental

The first record of this species, or of any eider, for Louisiana, was of a young male, apparently flightless (molting), present at the west end of Grand Terre Island. The bird first noted (but not identified) by John.... on April 9, 1994, was identified as an eider by Bob Russell a few days later, and as this species by many observers (DM,CS, et al; ph.) on April 14-17. It was present until at least May (21-22 or 14-15?) (JVR,DLD,SWC). Quite amazingly, the second record was hardly over a month later: a female seen and photographed by O'Meallie on Curlew Island on June 11, 1994. Only ....years later, the third King Eider was found, in this case a dead female on N. Breton I. on ..... Three records in seven years!

HARLEQUIN DUCK (Histrionicus histrioniucs) Accidental.

There is one record of this beautiful duck, of a pair reported by Audubon on April 1, 1837 at Southwest Pass. Although this record has some sceptics (including the LOS Bird Records Committee?), there is also a recent sight report from the Florida panhandle.

LONG-TAILED DUCK (Clangula hyemalis) Uncommon to rare in winter.

There are about two dozen records of this somewhat erratic species, formerly (and perhaps preferably) known as the Oldsquaw, from November 24 to February 28. In recent years it has been most frequently recorded from either shore of Lake Pontchartrain, most likely the north shore, often as a result of Christmas Count coverage, but it might be seen on any of the larger bodies of water: the gulf, Chandeleur Sound, Lake Borgne, etc. It is reportedly regular offshore in Mississippi Sound. In some years none are seen at all and in others there may be several records. Few adult males are seen. Recent record s include Dec. 11, 2004 at South Point (DM,MM,PW–2) and Dec. 30, 2005 at Boothville (DM,PW,RS).

Extreme dates of occurrence are Nov. 15, 1986 at Fontainbleau St. Pk (MM,DM--3) and May 11, 1988 ...(NN,DM).

BLACK SCOTER (Melanitta nirgra) Rare winter visitor.

Although none of the scoters are common, of the three , the Black and Surf Scoters are seen much more frequently than the White-winged. Most of the records are from about November 20 through the Christmas Count period. The fact that there are few late winter records may mostly reflect lack of coverage, since they are seen regularly in spring on the gulf off Cameron Parish.

In addition to the records quoted here, there is one undated record of Black Scoter from Lake Catherine by Gustav Kohn. In principle, good places to look for scoters would be off Grand Isle or from Fourchon Beach, and, in fact, the latest record of any scoter for Southeast Louisiana was of one seen on April 9, 1977 off Grand Isle, not identified as to species (but not white-winged).

There are 11 records spanning the period Oct. 25-Apr. 8: Nov. 11, 1941, St. Charles Par. (fide GHL); Nov. 29, 1952 on Lake Borgne (fide GHL); Oct. 25, 1969 on Lake Pontchartrain (RJN,RJS); Nov. 23, 1970 at the mouth of the Empire Canal (RJN,LO'M); Mar. 13, 1971, Lake Pontchartrain (HDP); Apr. 8, 1973, 25 miles off Grand Isle (RBH,RJN); Nov. 27-Dec. 16, 1977 on Lake Pontchartrain (JR,m.ob.--photos RDP); Nov. 13-Dec. 25, 1981 at New Orleans (JR,DM, et al); Nov. 23, 1981, Fontainbleau St. Pk. (NN,SF); Dec. 1-...., 1985 at New Orleans (RDP,m.ob.); New Orleans, Dec. 19, 1991 (NN--2); Nov. 26, 2004 (DM,MM,PW) on Lake Pontchartrain.

SURF SCOTER (Melanitta perspicillata) Rare winter visitor.

Most of the scoters of this species, and of the others as well, have been in female/immature plumage, which suggests that they are birds of the year. Surf Scoters ordinarily winter on either coast and breed in northern Canada. There are over 20 records of Surf Scoter from the period Nov. 17-Apr. 16: Mar. 20, 1890, New Orleans (fide HCO); Dec. 26, 1950, Grand Isle (JLC); Nov. 29, 1953, Lake Borgne; Dec. 1958 at Myrtle Grove (fide GHL); Nov. 28-..., 1977 in Metairie (JG, m.ob.--photos RDP); Nov. 13, 1981, New Orleans (MM); Nov. 21, 1982, Labranche (fide JRS--killed by hunters); Nov. 26, 1982, New Orleans (RDP,NN--2); Jan. 2, 1984, Fourchon Rd. (NN,RDP,DM); Nov. 22?, 1984, Mandeville (CS?); Dec. 27, 1987, New Orleans (RDP,MK, SH); winter 1988-89......; winter 1989-90; ....., 1991 New Orleans (NN); Dec. 26, 1992 (...)..Fourchon beach 1998. June 10, 1998, Curlew (SWC,DLD); 2002 New Orleans CBC, RDP, MM; Nov. 17, 2002 at Grand Isle (DM); Mar. 6-7, 2004 at New Orleans (DM,MM,PW,CS,RDP–5+); April 16, 2004 at Grand Isle (DLD,SWC), winter 2004-5 S. Point; 20 Feb. 2005 (PW,DM–7).

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (Melanitta fusca) Casual winter visitor.

The 10 records of this species make it the least common of the three in recent years; see however, the discussion in Lowery (1974). The dated records range between Nov. 5 and Mar. 27: Mar. 20, 1890, New Orleans (fide GHL); Mar. 27, 1965, Grand Isle (SAG); Dec. 1, 1973, Bonnet Carre Spillway (RJS,MW); Nov. 27-28, 1975, Lake Pontchartrain (NN,m.ob.); Nov. 23, 1982, New Orleans (MM);Nov. 19, 1989, Lake Catouatche (DM); Nov. 29-...1989, Lake Pontchartrain (DM,NN,RDP,GG); Dec. 21, 1991, L. Pontchartrain (RDP,NN,GG), Nov. 5, 1995 (PW,CK,Bill Wayman?); Nov. 25(24?), 2000, Mandeville (MM).

COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) Uncommon to rare winter visitor.

Although this species is never common, often one or two can be found after patient searching on Lake Pontchartrain, on the deeper ponds in the eastern part of New Orleans (now disappearing), or on Bayou St. John. Although goldeneyes depart rather early in spring, there are two interesting late records from the area or near it: May 5, 1986, by Kopman, without specific location, and June 15, 1894 on Cat Island, MS, collected by Blakemore. Expected dates are November 15 to March 1 and extreme dates of occurrence are Nov. 3, 1991 on U.S. 11 (RDP) and Mar. 22, 1970 at New Orleans (RDP). Maximum number: 60 at New Orleans, Mar. 6, 2004.

BUFFLEHEAD (Bucephala albeola) Regular winter resident, more common on north

shore of Lake Pontchartrain

While the Bufflehead is not often seen on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain except in the extreme eastern part of the city (Bayou Sauvage NWR) it is quite regular, even common on the north shore, as at Mandeville and Fontainbleu St. Park, where sometimes as many as 100 might be counted. It is, for example, almost unknown on the coast. Nonetheless it might be encountered almost anywhere where diving ducks might be expected. Buffledheads are usually present from early November until late March. Extreme dates are.....

HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) Uncommon winter visitor,

The Hooded Merganser is one of those species which are not actually rare in Southeast Louisiana but are nonetheless difficult to find. It is often seen on isolated wooded ponds and sloughs, but only rarely in the open water situations characteristic of its cousins, the Red-breasted and Common Mergansers. Although it is fairly regular in some spots, as on ponds in New Orleans East or on the ponds near Crescent Acres landfill in Arabi, an opportunistic or random sighting is the most likely, if one knows what a Hooded Merganser looks like in flight. High count is 170 on a residential lake in eastern New Orleans on the 1998 CBC (DPM).

The extreme dates of occurrence are October 21, 1965 on Lake Pontchartrain (BMM) and April 23, 1994 at Port Sulphur (NN,RDP).

COMMON MERGANSER (Mergus merganser) Casual winter visitor.

There are about 17 records of the Common Merganser, which is slightly more common inland and in north Louisiana than in Se. Louisiana. The dozen reports in the last four decades probably accurately reflect its true abundance in Southeast Louisiana. Allthough identifcation is not particularly difficult, for either sex, its rarity should engender caution.

The records span the period Nov. 11-Apr. 19, with an anomalous June 3, 1933 record. The records are: Jan. 21, 1932, Point-a-la-Hache (HCO); Jan. 24, 1932, Myrtle Grove (HCO--2); June 3, 1933, Lake Borgne (HCO); April 19, 1936, Grand Isle (AD); Dec. 28, 1957, Grand Isle (SAG); Feb. 6, 1960, Slidell (SAG); Nov. 22, 1969, Mandeville (RJN); Dec. 8, 1977, Reserve (MW); Nov. 11, 1978, Laplace (RJS,MW); Nov. 18, 1978, Bonnet Carre Spillway (RJS,MW); Jan. 8-Feb 2?, 1980, Metairie (...); Dec. 26, 1982, New Orleans (MW--5); Jan. 10-Mar. 3, 1985, Mandeville (PS,JH?); winter 1986-87, Mandeville (JH,m.ob.); Mar. 5, 1987, Fourchon Rd. (CK,PW); ......(NN,RDP); Dec. 23, 1990-[Feb. 22?,1991] New Orleans (AS,GS, et al).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (Mergus serrator) Common winter visitor.

This species can be found regularly on Lake Pontchartrain and throughout coastal Southeast Louisiana on deep lakes, ponds, and open water.

Expected dates of occurrence are November 20 to May 1; extreme dates are Oct. 25, 1928 at Main Pass of the Mississippi River (AMB) and May 20, 1967 at Grand Isle (SAG). There are at least two later records in spring or early summer: one at North Island in the Chandeleurs: June 11, 1971 (RDP,RJN,MM), and another on Fourchon Rd., June 1, 1997 (DM,RDP).

RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis) Uncommon winter visitor.

The Ruddy Duck is most often found on deep ponds in residential areas of the eastern part of New Orleans. Otherwise, it may be found almost anywhere there are other diving ducks--occasionally on the lake, occasionally on Fourchon Road. Ruddy Ducks went essentially unrecorded on New Orleans Christmas Counts before 1973, and have evidently increased due to the availability of these newly-dug artificial lakes in New Orleans. Expected dates are November 5 to April 10; extreme dates are Sept. 2, 1986 at New Orleans (CL,DM) and May 22, 1977 at New Orleans (RDP,SP). Although there are no records of the very similar Masked Duck for this area, the possibility should be kept in mind.

ORDER Gaviiformes

FAMILY Gaviidae LOONS

COMMON LOON (Gavia immer) Regular, and fairly common to uncommon, in winter

Common Loons can usually be found in small numbers along either shore of Lake Pontchartrain in winter from mid-November into April. Numbers vary considerably from one year to another, and some searching may be necessary to find a loon along the south shore of the lake. They are significantly more common on the north shore of the lake, for example at the Mandeville harbor or Fontainbleau St. Pk. Although most individuals are gone by mid-March, late April or early May records are not extraordinary and hardly a year goes by without a late spring or summer record. Large movements have occasionally been noted in early November. Common Loons are also encountered over or near the gulf, especially at Grand Isle, but frequently on the river or on large bays in the Buras-Venice area. Common Loons, usually in late spring or early summer, have been heard calling on several occasions in Southeast Louisiana, generally in late spring.

In basic plumage, Common and Pacific Loons are superficially similar, especially in size, and given the number of records from the Southeast Texas coast, it may be expected that careful scrutiny of loons in this area will eventually turn up a Pacific Loon. Recent “scares” demonstrate that identification problems are considerable, especially if one is not familiar with Pacific Loon. On the other hand, there are records from both east and west of us along the gulf coast, some of which, at least, are valid. Good sources are Shulenburg (1989), McCaskie, et al (1990), and Zimmer (2000).

Records of "summering" loons, while interesting, and nort extraordinary; usually of birds in basic (winter) plumage. The earliest such records were: June 5, 1933 in Bre