Red-breasted Merganser

The Red-breasted Merganser (Scientific name - Mergus serrator) is a diving duck found in many parts of North America. They range as far north as the Arctic and as far south as Texas and the Baja Penninsula. They are slightly smaller than the Common Merganser and have a long ragged looking double crest.  The males have a long orangish bill, dark head, white collar and reddish chest. The back is dark with white patches on the wings. In flight there are two noticeable dark wing bars. The female is mostly rusty brown and grey.  Photos were taken in Saint John, New Brunswick in December 2014. Unfortunately I did not get any photos of the females.

Bufflehead

The Bufflehead (Scientific name - Bucephala albeola) is a small diving duck found throughout North America. They range from Alaska to Mexico. The male is easily distinguished by the large white wedge at the back of its dark head. It has a dark back and white body. The head is somewhat iridescent and shows green to purple. The female is much more plain with a greyish brown body and darker back. The female head is dark brown with a oval white patch on the cheek. 

Female

The photos were all taken at Mill Lake, Abbotsford, B.C. between November 2013 and January 2014. 

Male

Ring Necked Duck

The Ring Necked Duck (Scientific Name - Aythya collaris)is a medium sized diving duck that  frequents fresh water areas. It can be found across Canada and migrates as far South as Mexico and Central America. 

Male

 The male  (left) is distinguished by its golden eye and the chestnut brown ring around its neck

The female (below) is less colourful and has a white ring around her eye. 

Both the male and female have white rings around their bill.

Photos taken at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in May of 2013,

Female