Oxford Languages defines a bluenose as a “priggish or puritanical” particular person. Oddly sufficient, it could actually additionally check with an individual from Nova Scotia. I think about that that is because of the chilly winters up there, moderately than suggesting that each one Nova Scotians are prudes.
However for birders, the title bluenose would possibly extra simply be utilized to geese of the genus Oxyura. The six species on this genus are all distinguished by having stiff tail feathers, usually held upright in a kind of butt-salute, and by the males sporting an much more inconceivable shiny blue invoice through the breeding season. To my style, this makes these birds among the many most lovable geese on the market.
The North American consultant of this genus is the Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis. It’s often an easily-seen resident on the deeper sections Lake Cuitzeo, a half hour from my residence. However over the previous yr, nearly the entire lake dried up, and what little water remained was solely inches deep. So this diving duck fled to no matter deeper lakes remained; through 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 season, 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 shiny 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 greatest images up to now of a breeding male. On earlier events I had usually appreciated their shiny 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 shade that give the Ruddy Duck its title.
And sure, every considered one of my images (I took round 100) confirmed beads of the lake’s moderately muddy water on the backs of those geese. It appeared as if somebody had dripped sizzling glue on them. Water often 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 shiny blue payments. I suppose it’s exhausting to keep up such sartorial finery.
This can be a winter male. For apparent causes, it’s the solely picture not from this week.
As I discussed above, two extra people swam close to Monday’s lone grownup male. Their conduct indicated that the three shaped a household unit.
Ruddy Duck #2
Ruddy Duck #3
Sadly, there is no such thing as a strategy to know whether or not these two had been females, or immature males. If these bluenoses are certainly puritanical and priggish, I definitely hope they weren’t a threesome.
