Gadwall

The Gadwall (Scientific Name - Anas strepera) is a dabbling (puddling) duck found across North America, although more prevalent in the West. They range from Alaska down into Mexico and Central America. It is slightly smaller than the more common Mallard and the females of the species look similar. The male has a round brown head, and a grey brown and black body with finely patterned flanks and breast. They have a black patch on the upper tail. Photos taken at the Colony Farm Regional Park, Port Coquitlam, B.C. in April 2015.

Male

Female

Yellow-headed Blackbird

The Yellow-headed Blackbird (Scientific Name - Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) is found across the Western part of North America. They breed as far North as the Northern part of the four Western Canadian Provinces and winter as far South as Mexico. They are a fairly large blackbirds with a distinctive yellow head and chest, black bodies with a white stripe along the wing.They prefer wetlands and can be aggressive to other species in these areas such as the smaller Red-winged Blackbird and Marsh Wrens. While not always common on the West Coast, these photos were taken in April 2015 at the Iona Beach Regional Park in Richmond, British Columbia.

Tree Swallow

The Tree Swallow (Scientific Name - Tachycineta bicolor) is probably the most commonly seen swallow in North America. They can be found throughout Canada and the U.S.A. as far north as Alaska. They range south in winter to Mexico and Central America. They have a streamlined body, pointed wings and a notched tail. They have a bluish green back and head with a white underbelly. The bluish green appears iridescent. Females and immature males have more brown showing.  Photos were taken in April 2015 at the Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, B.C.