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2/5/04
The four Ringed Teal are still here, having made
it happily through the winter so far. All four were seen at the Bog Garden
today. Melissa Whitmire took pictures of them, displayed at the top of
this page. About a month ago I had a report from someone else who had seen
them on Hamilton Lake. The immature males are now in full adult plumage, and
cannot be distinguished from the older one.
10/3/03
have made
some inquiries to local residents of the Bog Garden and Maintenance workers
there, know one seems so be aware of anyone purposely introducing the Ringed
Teal. I called Ken Reiniger, the curator of birds at the NC Zoo, who expressed
concern over extreme winter weather. He also gave me the number of a couple who
have an extensive (70 species) waterfowl collection in the Yadkinville
vicinity. The woman called me back and said that they have about 15 Ringed
Teal, who all live outside. She says they have been very hardy and have done
well outside all winter, and they are about 5 degrees cooler than we are. She
says they have more problems with predatory animals than weather. So if the
Teal are happy at the Bog Garden, they will probably be fine there.
9/22/03
Members of the Piedmont Bird Club have taken
great interest some unusual little ducks that have showed up at the lake at the
Bog Garden recently, first noted on September 8th. We have learned that they
are Ringed Teal (Callonetta leucophrys), a species native to Brazil,
Bolivia, and other areas of South America.
There are four of them, 1 female
and 3 males. One
of the immature males is pictured above on the left, and the female on the
right.
Since it is highly unlikely that they are truly wild ducks that have come
here accidentally, we think that either someone introduced them or that they may
have escaped from a collection of exotic waterfowl. They are apparently very
popular in waterfowl collections, being easily tamed and quite charming.
This climate might get a little
too cold for them, however, as they need protection from freezing temperatures.
If you or anyone you know is aware of anyone bringing them to the Bog
Garden, we would love to hear about it! E-mail us at
piedmontbirder@aol.com.
If you want to go see them, the Bog Garden is in Greensboro,
NC. From West Friendly Avenue turn north on Hobbs Road, go three blocks
and take a right on Starmount Farms Drive. The entrance to the Bog Garden
is immediately to the right. Follow the sidewalk to the left and proceed
down the boardwalk. You may see the Ringed Teal where the boardwalk
crosses the little creek, or where it overlooks the lake. They are usually
hanging out with the Mallards who come to be fed at those places.
More
information on Ringed Teal may be found on these web sites:
Callonetta_leucophrys.html
http://www.rossparkzoo.com/virtualtour/rainforest_aviary/teal/
http://www.nczoo.org/virtual_tour/animal_id/aviary_rteal.htm
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