Oxford Languages defines a bluenose as a “priggish or puritanical” individual. Oddly sufficient, it may possibly additionally confer with an individual from Nova Scotia. I think about that that is because of the chilly winters up there, fairly than suggesting that every one Nova Scotians are prudes.
However for birders, the title bluenose may extra simply be utilized to geese of the genus Oxyura. The six species on this genus are all distinguished by having stiff tail feathers, typically held upright in a kind of butt-salute, and by the males sporting an much more inconceivable vivid blue invoice in the course of the breeding season. To my style, this makes these birds among the many loveliest geese on the market.
The North American consultant of this genus is the Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis. It’s normally an easily-seen resident on the deeper sections Lake Cuitzeo, a half hour from my dwelling. However over the previous yr, nearly all the lake dried up, and what little water remained was solely inches deep. So this diving duck fled to no matter deeper lakes remained; in the course of the first half of 2024 I solely managed to see a handful on close by Lake Queréndaro. Fortunately, our monsoon rains have are available fantastically this summer time, and this week a visit to see Lake Cuitzeo’s progress revealed a gaggle of three Ruddy Geese on its newly deepening waters.. Even higher, one of many three was a respendent male with, sure, a vivid blue invoice.
The still-low water ranges had pushed these three geese nearer to the freeway from which I can observe them, so these are my finest photographs so far of a breeding male. On earlier events I had typically appreciated their vivid payments and stiff tails, as these are simply seen even at a distance, and in any lighting. However this was the primary time that closeness and good mild allowed me to understand the deep reddish-brown coloration that give the Ruddy Duck its title.
And sure, each considered one of my photographs (I took round 100) confirmed beads of the lake’s fairly muddy water on the backs of those geese. It appeared as if somebody had dripped sizzling glue on them. Water normally sheets off the backs of most geese, however the Ruddy Duck’s again apparently holds the water in place. (Take a look at the drop caught to the duck’s brow on this image.)
Through the winter, male Ruddy Geese lose their vivid blue payments. I suppose it’s exhausting to take care of such sartorial finery.
It is a winter male. For apparent causes, it’s the solely photograph not from this week.
As I discussed above, two extra people swam close to Monday’s lone grownup male. Their habits indicated that the three shaped a household unit.
Ruddy Duck #2
Ruddy Duck #3
Sadly, there isn’t a strategy to know whether or not these two have been females, or immature males. If these bluenoses are certainly puritanical and priggish, I actually hope they weren’t a threesome.
