Identification

Your favourite field guide likely covers many of the key ID criteria for waterbirds in flight. The topics covered here include some general statements on plumage or structure to help recognize these differences in the field. Notes on seasonality are included to identify periods of peak visible migration, which are often different than the broad dates provided by regional bar-charts. 

Numbers often peak during seasonally productive fronts. Check out our theories on lake watching for ways to enhance your in-the-field experiences. 

SWANS

Seasonality: 

Mute Swan: Rare as a passage migrant late March-May and again in September-October. Many observations are of young birds. 

Trumpeter Swan: Rare as a passage migrant spring and fall. 

Tundra Swan: Abundant for a few weeks every year within migratory routes from late February through early April. Spring migration timed with early season warmth and Great Lakes ice and snow conditions. Uncommon in low numbers on return flight from mid-October through mid-November. 

Notes: 

GEESE

Seasonality:

Canada Goose: Common to abundant in spring (February-April) peaking in March, with a large secondary flight of molt migrants from late May to mid-June. Common in fall September-December, with multiple peaks in mid- to late September and again in late fall to early winter in response to freezing conditions or deep snow. 

Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose, Ross's Goose, Cackling Goose: Uncommon to rare in the eastern Great Lakes, becoming more common further west. More common further east following strong warm southwest winds. Numbers peak in February and March, sometimes in pure-species flocks. Isolated individuals occur later in spring (late April to early May). All species are uncommon to rare in fall from mid-September through mid-November. 

Brant: Abundant in narrow migratory corridor in far eastern Great lakes in spring during May and again in late October through mid-November. Rare elsewhere in the Great Lakes in fall, when strong east or northeast winds can deviate migrants from James Bay further west. These storm conditions must coincide with suitable migratory conditions in James Bay to be effective. 

Notes: 

Cackling vs. Canada Goose in Flight:

Snow/Ross's Goose Notes: 

DUCKS:

Often distant and/or in mixed species flocks, practice and patience is required to become comfortable with duck identification at lake watches. Don't be afraid to leave distant birds as "duck sp". Studying close birds will, over time, help you recognize differences between species at greater and greater distances. 

Seasonality and Notes:

Wood Duck: Uncommon as a true lake watch bird.  March-April and September-October. On average, uses unique flight lines compared to other waterfowl moving at the same times and places. Structure and plumage distinctive in all seasons. 

Blue-winged Teal: Late March through early May. Late August through early October. Larger directional flights in the western Great Lakes in fall. Spring birds often in low numbers, but distinctive when observed. Fall birds often recognizable as teal, with a paler gray-brown colouration and more distinctive and obvious wing pattern than Green-winged Teal. 

Northern Shoveler: Late March through early May. September and October. Rarely observed in large numbers. Appears pointy like American Wigeon, but much more front-heavy with large head/bill and short tail. The wing patterns of fall birds in flight recall similarly plumaged Blue-winged Teal, but note more robust structure. 

Gadwall: mid-March through early May. September and October. Spring observations of birds in active migration much lower than fall numbers. More common further west. Fall flights often timed with American Wigeon. Surprisingly bland in flight, lacking a distinctive structure. The unusual placement of the small white wing patch on males often the first visible plumage clue. 

American Wigeon: March through April. September and October. Appears strongly pointed on all ends (wings, head, tail). Large white wing flashes of males evident at a distance. 

Mallard: February through April. Some post-breeding movement of males in late May and early June. May be observed throughout the fall with peaks in late September or early October and again in early to mid-November following northerly freeze conditions. Appears robust and heavy in flight. 

American Black Duck: March and April. October and November. Peaks with the secondary peak of Mallards during late-season northerly freeze conditions. 

Northern Pintail: late February through early April. October and November. Large numbers can be observed in flight during both seasons. Very long, skinny structure (wings, head/neck and tail) distinctive even at a distance. Sometimes large numbers occur higher up than other dabbling duck species. 

Green-winged Teal: March and April, September and October. Large numbers can occur in both seasons. Forms dense, large and fast moving flocks which are less strung out than other puddle ducks and may appear relatively dark at a distance. 


Canvasback: March and April. Late September through early November. Rarely in large flocks. Large triangle shaped head evident at a distance. More robust through the neck than Redhead. Wing stripe subtle. Adult males very pale on the back. 

Redhead: March and April. Late September through early November. Sometimes in significant numbers. Neck pinches in and gets quite thin. Much more rounded and slender overall than Canvasback with visible wing stripe. More slender than Greater Scaup. 

Ring-necked Duck: March through mid-April. October and November. Almost always in low to very low numbers.  Surprisingly rare to observe in flight during fall. Fairly small and dingy with few obvious field marks. 

Greater Scaup: Mid-March through late April. October through mid-November. Sometimes in significant flocks. Robust, rounded structure compared to other species. White wing stripe extends down onto primaries. 

Lesser Scaup: Mid-March through late April. October through mid-November. Appears slender and more erratic than GRSC.  Wing stripe only bright white on secondaries.


Aythya plumage study (adult males, upperside) in flight from left to right: 

Becoming more familiar with the plumage (and structure) of these distinctive age classes will help you recognize similar differences in the more similarly plumaged females and young males. 

Surf Scoter: April through mid-May. mid-September through November. More blocky than Black Scoter, with white spots on the face, and more pointed face and tail. 

White-winged Scoter: April through May. mid-September through November. Sometimes in sizable flocks or movements. Very large, dark ducks with distinctive white wing panels. 

Black Scoter: April through mid-May. late-September through November. Adult males distinctive. Females and young birds appear plain-faced with rounded heads (up), bellies (down) and longer more outstretched wings than blocky bodied Surf Scoters, which show more pointed faces and tails. 

King Eider: Very rare in flight. April through mid-May. Late October through December. Similar in size to large White-winged Scoter, smaller than Common Eider (even rarer). 

Long-tailed Duck: April and May. September through late November. Often in significant numbers during peak of migration. Very distinctive, especially when in flocks. Uncommon in mixed species flocks. 

Harlequin Duck: Rare. April through early-May. late-September through November. Adult male distinctive. Other plumages superficially similar to female Surf Scoter. Structure and flight style recalls Bufflehead or Goldeneye which they sometimes join; however, note unique shape and all dark wing of female-like plumages. 

Bufflehead: March through April. Late October through early December. One of our later fall migrants. Often forms tight bunches of males and females. Less common in mixed species flocks. Relatively distinctive structure and plumage at all ages.

Common Goldeneye: March through April. Late October through early December. Late season freeze-out flights among the latest of all waterfowl, similar to Common Merganser.  Relatively distinctive structure and plumages in flight at all ages.

Ruddy Duck: April and October. Rarely observed in active migration. Note their unique bumblebee-esque structure and buzzy flight. 


Hooded Merganser:

Red-breasted Merganser:

Common Merganser:

GREBES

Red-necked Grebe: late February through mid-May. August through October. Known passage or staging of large numbers occur in places such as western Lake Ontario or eastern Lake Superior, with much lower numbers elsewhere. Notably larger than Horned Grebe with a long slender shape and distinct white patches on the wings. 

Horned Grebe: Late March through early May, September through mid-November. A bizarre sight in low numbers, primarily in fall. Head pulls up high, S-shaped neck, sagging belly and low trailing feet. Many observations could be of local reorientation flights rather than diurnal migrants. Sometimes in small groups. 

Eared Grebe: Rare locally. Much darker overall than Horned Grebe (fall), but beware atypically dingy Horned. Plumage and structural clues combined support ID. Much more slim throughout than Horned, lacking saggy belly. Neck much more straight when being raised and lowered, unlike S-bend of Horned. 

SHOREBIRDS

To save on space, shorebirds have been roughly grouped by seasonal abundance and/or patterns of occurrence at Great Lakes lake watches. Many flocks of migrants will fly reasonably high above the water's surface.

Killdeer, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper: Uncommon in small flocks from late March to early May. Less common in fall, in smaller numbers. See examples: 

Marbled Godwit, American Avocet, Willet, Long-billed Dowitcher: These species can be observed moving down shorelines from mid-April through early May during or immediately after strong, warm, southwest or westerly winds. They tend to cross bodies of water, leading to a higher number of occurrences on the northern or easterly shorelines of the Great Lakes. These same species, minus Long-billed Dowitcher, peak as adults from early to mid-July on similar conditions (strong northwest, west or southwest winds - often during or after thunderstorms) during fall migration. Again, they are likely to cross water, leading to most records occurring on the east or southerly shorelines in fall. More random occurrences of young birds occur in fall in September and October following westerly originating cold fronts. 

American Golden-Plover: Uncommon late March through April, more common further west. Surprisingly regular at lake watches in low numbers in September and October where their sleek yet strong plover shape combined with their plain beige plumage, stand out compared to the contrasty Black-belled Plovers. 

Black-bellied Plover, Whimbrel, Short-billed Dowitcher, Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper: May be abundant from mid to late May in spring in known flight areas. Light winds and high pressure systems can ground large numbers over the Lake as they arrive to stage locally, as can the passage of cold fronts bringing directional movements along shorelines. Low numbers of birds are regular during lake-watches throughout the Great Lakes in fall from September to early November. 

Dunlin: May be abundant in spring similar to the above species. Fall numbers highly variable at lake watches. Sometimes large flights occur in October and early November when grounded during overland flights from James Bay. 

Hudsonian Godwit, White-rumped Sandpiper, Sanderling, Red Knot: Similar habits and conditions to Dunlin but in significantly reduced numbers mid-September through early November. 

Stilt Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper: Rare in fall as singles or very small groups August to early October. 

Purple Sandpiper: Rare in flight, October through November, usually alone but sometimes in small groups of 2-4. They appear very dark and often occur later in the season when few other shorebird species are expected. 

Red-necked Phalarope, Red Phalarope: Rare in fall - often during storm conditions. Red-necked earlier from August-September. Red from September-November, most likely from mid-October through mid-November. 

JAEGERS

Their powerful flight and propensity to undertake high speed acrobatic chases of other birds makes Jaegers highly sought after; however, they are rare, exceptionally variable and are rarely seen close to shore. This can make Jaeger identification quite challenging. 

Need more than what is shown below? Check out our Jaeger-ID-Blitz Page (tba) for a case-by-case breakdown of these sketches, and also Jaeger photos, for a review of what to look for in the field. 

Parasitic Jaeger

Uncommon in fall from mid-August through early December, with juveniles more common than adults or subadults. Very rare in May-June as adults. 

Regularly undertakes prolonged, powerful and dynamic chases of other gulls or terns - often much more vigorous than Long-tailed or Pomarine; however, be aware that migrating, travelling and/or tired birds may appear "lazy" and trick you into thinking Pomarine. 

Recalls the Peregrine Falcon in shape and flight style. Appears more full and powerful than Long-tailed Jaeger, not as broad/wide or labouring like Pomarine. Birds in Aug-Sep appear more slender in warm weather (or when thin) compared to well-fed, cold (fluffed up) birds in Oct-Nov when they are readily mistaken for Pomarine. 

Juvenile plumages more streaked and lower-contrast than the other species. The spectrum of juv appearances include "golden", "orange", "hooded brown", "brown", and "dark" - yet many are intermediate between these extremes. Often shows a broad, curved underwing flash which bleeds into the upperwing more often than the other species. Long, very thin bill with very small black tip is near-diagnostic when visible, as are pale primary tips when present. All but the darkest birds show extensive pale tips on the upperside feathers. 

In juveniles, the size and shape of the central tail feathers is not only highly variable (with overlap between species), but also very difficult to judge -  in the field or from photographs - and should not be a key consideration in making an identification. 

Variation in the number and intensity of white primary shafts (upper wing) in juveniles also makes this feature challenging to use for Parasitic Jaeger identification. 

Adults are almost always light morph birds locally with slight variation in the intensity of their dark markings, underwing flash and primary shafts. Darker adults are very rare, and good views would be required to properly confirm the age of dark individuals. Second and third cycle immatures are also noted with some frequency. Adult bills are thicker than juveniles and they generally appear more robust and powerful overall. Second year birds are very rare (not illustrated, example here) compared to third year immatures (bottom left below). Second year plumages show underlying identification traits of juveniles. These second years appear as very messy intermediates between juvenile and adult plumage, unlike third year birds which are mostly adult-like with signs of immaturity in blotchy black and white markings. Each of these age may show long central tail feathers, assuming they have not broken off. Tails may appear longer than what is illustrated below. 

Long-tailed Jaeger 

Rare but regular from mid-August through October. Juveniles are much more frequently observed than adults or subadults. Exceptional as adults in May-June.

Often only makes prolonged chases of small gulls (Bonaparte's, Sabines, Kittiwake) or terns (Common, Forster's); however, there are always exceptions. Often surface-feeds, dropping to the water and popping back up. 

Front heavy appearance and more slender, bounding flight recalls small terns. Juveniles especially appear weaker and more delicate than Parasitic. The base of the wings appears much more narrow than Parasitic in the field; however, beware power-flying Parasitic, which becomes more slender during chases - yet obtains speed and intensity rarely seen in Long-tailed. 

Juvenile plumage highly variable with few consistent traits. Almost always cold-toned white/gray/gray-brown/slate/black, unlike the warm golden/orange/brown tones of most Parasitic. White underwing flash often smaller than Parasitic, sometimes barely evident. "Indent" on white-flash near P8 is diagnostic when present. White primary shafts often appear as a single bold line along outer edge of wing in the field. Many plumages have either a pale yellow head, or pale lemon-yellow collars on the nape. Underwing and undertail coverts more frequently with strong black-and-white contrasting markings. Broader and shorter bill than Parasitic with more extensive black tip, which strongly supports ID when visible. 

Adults are always light morph, more cold toned and clean cut than Parasitic. A dark and sharply defined cap, little to no breast band, and extensive dusky gray vents stand out at a distance, as do reduced white in the wing (often no underwing flash, limited pale primary shafts). Subadults may be rarer than full adults, but have been recorded sporadically. They show signs of immaturity such as extensive white underwing markings, including a slight underwing flash. 

Pomarine Jaeger

Is big. And rare. Adults very rare in late August and September, juveniles can arrive by mid-September, but usually late month and can be present through December. Exceptional as juveniles in late winter or as adults in May and June. There are many instances of Parasitic Jaegers called Pomarines, often in October and November, due to seasonal expectations and larger appearance in colder weather. Pomarine on a year-to-year basis is our rarest Jaeger. 

Makes labouring chases of nearby birds. Joins feeding frenzies more readily than Parasitic. Many observations are of flyby juveniles during storm conditions in October and November reducing the usefulness of behavioural clues for identification. 

Strictly speaking, the "barrel chested" look of Pomarine can be similar to cold/well fed Parasitic Jaeger. Consider the wide wings, tail, large head on a muscular chest, and larger thicker bill when using GISS for identification. Structurally, a shearing Parasitic Jaeger may also have similarities to a shearing juvenile Herring Gull, which further leads to ID confusion. A large Pomarine in cold weather truly recalls Skua's in appearance, more short-yet-broad winged than Herring Gull. To complicate matters, there are instances of emaciated birds which appear small and slender. 

Juvenile plumage variable and rarely available for close study. More variable and complex markings on underwing. Light morph rare but distinctive compared to most Parasitic plumages. Many intermediates take on a "golden eagle" plumage with extensive golden feathers on the nape contrasting with a dark brown back. Some birds show pale feather tips on back and inner wings; however, never as extensive as on Parasitic. Many observations are of overall "brown" morphs with variable features such as dingy caps, faint pale collars, breast bands, and messy belly markings. Rarely very "dark morph" birds are observed - which can be difficult to age without close views. 

"Double underwing flash" occurs with similar frequency to Parasitic Jaeger, and may only be more readily noticed due to the larger physical size of these feathers on Pomarine. White primary shaft counts also appear highly variable with this species. As noted above, shape and extension of central tail feathers is highly variable and difficult to assess in the field or in photos, but are generally shorter and less obvious than the other jaeger species. 

Adults and subadults are rarely observed in our area, and when they are it is often at a distance. Most are light morph; however, dark morph birds have been recorded. The presence of wing molt is often noted, which is very rarely observed in Parasitic Jaeger in the Great Lakes. Subadults may molt and/or lack distinctive central rectrices before arriving locally. Subadults may be as common as adults, and show more variation than what is shown below. 

GULLS

Black-legged Kittiwake: Very rare and irregular, March-May. Irregular in variable numbers as juveniles mid-August through December. Most common late September through mid-November. Adults much rarer but follow similar seasonal occurrence patterns. Many records of "adults" are second year birds with messier primary patterns, however full adults do occur. 

Sabine's Gull: Rare late September through mid-October. Adults much rarer than juveniles, almost always in full breeding plumage as molt in small gulls doesn't seem to start until initial migratory movements are complete. Juveniles distinctive with brown upperside. Distant juveniles can appear dark-headed as brown bleeds onto the head. Beware distant juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake, which is frequently mistaken for Sabine's Gull (adult or juvenile, when colour is hard to determine), due to glowing white inner primary/secondary triangle. 

Black-headed Gull: Very rare late March through May, and again August through October. Most records of birds in flight are of adults, which appear similar to Bonaparte's Gull but with dark undersides of the primaries. Beware tricky light conditions on distant Bonaparte's Gulls. 

Bonaparte's Gull: Abundant as adults March and April. Variable numbers of first year birds May-June. Can be common mid-July through November. Juveniles arrive in fall with a variable amounts of brown wash before molting into their gray-black-white first winter plumage. 

Little Gull: Rare March through early June and again late July through November. Stages and/or molts in some areas of the Great Lakes. Appears shorter bodied and more rounded wings than other small gulls. Dark underwing of full adult distinctive. Second year birds with variably dark to gray underwings less obvious at a distance - note upperwing pattern, lacking white outer primaries, compared to adult Bonaparte's Gull. Juveniles with bold dark "M" on upperwing, which does not bleed onto inner primaries like juvenile Ross's Gull (also very different structure of long-winged, pointed ROGU). 

Franklin's Gull: Rare and irregular March through mid-June. Rare with highly variable numbers September through early November - peaking following powerful southwest or west winds. Rarer further east. Flocking behaviour recalls small gulls (i.e., Bonaparte's) but larger and darker. F

Ring-billed Gull: Abundant. One of our earliest migrants in February. Numbers peak in March and April. Generally present through the spring and summer with numbers peaking again in September and October. Present until harsh winter conditions set in. Often roosts on the open waters of the Great Lakes, leading to a fairly ubiquitous early-morning presence at lake watches as they nervously make their way inland to forage. 

Herring Gull: 

Iceland Gull: 

Glaucous Gull: 

Lesser Black-backed Gull: 

Great Black-backed Gull: 

TERNS

Caspian Tern: late March through mid-May. August through early October. Directional migrations may be larger in spring than fall. Large size, dark underside of primaries and red bill distinctive. 

Black Tern: late April through early June. Late July through September. Uncommon and irregular both spring and fall. Generally distinctive due to dark-based plumages. 

Forster's Tern: April through early June. August through mid-October. Silvery-white plumage stands out compared to the plain gray of Common Tern in spring. Paler plumage and distinct black mask in fall. First alternate birds rare but regular in late spring or early summer. 

Common Tern: mid-April through early June. August through October. The standard small sterna tern in our region, adults gray with reddish bill in spring and fall. Young birds have more contrasting black markings on the wings in fall. 

Arctic Tern: Very rare May through mid-June. Rare September through October. More slender and buoyant than Common Tern, body widest at breast, becoming more slender towards the tail. Adults darker gray with longer tail. Beware displaying Common Tern in any season which can adapt a bouncing flight. 

LOONS

Red-throated Loon: 

Common Loon: 

Pacific Loon: 

OTHER

Double-crested Cormorant: 

Northern Gannet: 

Short-eared Owl: 

Snow Bunting: A surprisingly common sight during November lake-watches, they readily migrate offshore where their flashing white plumage can be visible at great distances in sunlight. Sometimes in flocks of up to several hundred. Lapland Longspur, Horned Lark, American Pipit and Common Redpoll may also migrate in flocks offshore, primarily October-November.