Anatidae of the Mt. Washington Area

Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)

Greater White-fronted Geese. Kern National Wildlife Refuge. January 2018.

Rare in the Report Area. Has been reported a handful of times from the LA River, the most recent in 2022. Likely only to be found in the winter months.

Links: eBird

Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii)

Cackling Geese. Baja California Sur, Mexico. November 2015.

Rare in the Report Area. Has been reported a handful of times from the LA River, the most recent in 2022. Like Canada Goose, but smaller and more duck-like in proportions. Likely only to be found in the winter months.

Links: eBird

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Canada Geese. LA River. January 2016.

Common along the LA River where it breeds. Occurs as a flyover elsewhere in the Report Area.

Links: eBird

Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Introduced

Egyptian Goose. LA River. November 2023.

This introduced species occurs in small numbers on various portions of the LA River. Observed sporadically on those portions in the Report Area. Not expected at other open space areas in the Report Area, including Rio de Los Angeles.

Links: eBird

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)

Wood Ducks. Franklin Canyon. February 2010.

Uncommon on the LA River in the Report Area. Not expected at other open space areas in the Report Area, though could be found at Rio de Los Angeles when water is present.

Links: eBird

Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)

Blue-winged (bottom) and Cinnamon Teal. LA River. November 2017.

Less common on the LA River than the related Cinnamon Teal with which it is often found. Usually only found in the winter months. Female Blue-winged Teal and Cinnamon Teal can be difficult to separate in the field. Not expected at other open space areas in the Report Area, except at Rio de Los Angeles when water is present.

Links: eBird

Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera)

Blue-winged (bottom) and Cinnamon Teal. LA River. November 2017.

Usually only found in the winter months. Female Blue-winged Teal and Cinnamon Teal can be difficult to separate in the field. Not expected at other open space areas in the Report Area, except at Rio de Los Angeles when water is present.

Links: eBird

Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)

Northern Shoveler. Apollo Park. February 2022.

Usually only found in the winter months, but uncommon along the LA River section covered by this report. Not expected at other open space areas in the Report Area, except at Rio de Los Angeles when water is present.

Links: eBird

Gadwall (Mareca strepera)

Gadwall. Madrona Marsh. January 2019.

Usually only found in the winter months, but uncommon along the LA River section covered by this report. Not expected at other open space areas in the Report Area, though could occur at Rio de Los Angeles when water is present.

Links: eBird

American Wigeon (Mareca americana)

American Wigeon. Lake Balboa. January 2018.

Usually only found in the winter months. Occurs regularly along the LA River, often in association with Mallards. Has also occurred at Rio de Los Angeles when water is present.

Links: eBird

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Mallards. LA River. October 2016.

By far the most common duck in the Report Area. Found year-round. Readily found on the LA River. Likely present at Rio de Los Angeles when water is present. Sometimes observed in the central barn area of Elyria Canyon Park (for reasons unknown). Has not been, but likely to be, recorded as a flyover at Heidelberg.

Links: eBird

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

Northern Pintails. Pico Rivera. January 2015.

Uncommon on the LA River in winter. Has not been recorded elsewhere, though there is a low probability of occurring at Rio de Los Angeles when water is present.

Links: eBird

Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)

Green-winged Teal. Playa del Rey. February 2018.

Uncommon on the LA River in winter. Has not been recorded elsewhere, though there is a low probability of occurring at Rio de Los Angeles when water is present.

Links: eBird

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)

Ring-necked Duck. Encino. July 2014.

Uncommon on the LA River in winter. Has some potential to occur at all times of year. As a diving duck, would not be expected at Rio de Los Angeles.

Links: eBird

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

Lesser Scaup. Lake Balboa. January 2018.

Reported a handful of times from the LA River in winter. As a diving duck, would not be expected at Rio de Los Angeles.

Links: eBird

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)

Bufflehead. LA River. January 2016.

Occurs in small numbers on the LA River in winter. As a diving duck, would not be expected at Rio de Los Angeles.

Links: eBird

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

Common Goldeneye (right) with American Coot. Big Bear Lake. January 2016.

Reported a handful of times from the LA River in winter. As a diving duck, would not be expected at Rio de Los Angeles.

Links: eBird

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)

Hooded Merganser. LA River. November 2023.

Occurs in small numbers on the LA River in winter. As a diving duck, would not be expected at Rio de Los Angeles.

Links: eBird

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)

Common Mergansers. Oregon. April 2017.

Reported a handful of times from the LA River in winter. As a diving duck, would not be expected at Rio de Los Angeles.

Links: eBird

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)

Red-breasted Merganser. White Point Beach. December 2018.

Reported a handful of times from the LA River in winter. As a diving duck, would not be expected at Rio de Los Angeles.

Links: eBird

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)

Ruddy Ducks. Kern National Wildlife Refuge. January 2018.

Reported a handful of times from the LA River in winter. As a diving duck, would not be expected at Rio de Los Angeles.

Links: eBird

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