Friday Feathered Feature

Wood Duck

Wood Duck

The Wood Duck is one of the great conservation success stories in the United States. By the turn of the 20th century, market hunting and habitat destruction saw the Wood Duck on the brink of extinction. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 came just in the nick of time.

Photo by Jim Hudgins / USFWS

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

The Northern Shoveler’s common name, nickname (spoonbill or spoony), and scientific name (Spatula clypeata) all reference the most distinctive feature of this odd duck. Spatula, Latin for “spoon” combines with clypeata meaning shield bearing.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Gadwall

Gadwall

When you resemble one of the most common waterfowl species in North America, sometimes it's hard to stand out. Noting subtle differences and a careful eye, one can fairly easily pick a Gadwall out of a lineup of Mallards. If you see a group, make sure to be on the lookout.

Photo by Mick Thompson

Common Redpoll Irruption

Common Redpoll Irruption

The winter of 2021-22 will go down in the bird record books for the irruption of Common Redpolls in Wisconsin. Common Redpolls are energetic little birds that forage in flocks, gleaning, fluttering, or hanging upside down in the farthest tips of tree branches.

Photo by Ott Rebane FCC

American Crow

American Crow

American Crows, known for their abundance from farm fields to urban areas, might surprise some with their intelligence. It's easy to anthropomorphize crows—they're often marked as pests, sinister, or aggressive. But crows objectively score close to primates on cognition tests.

Photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren