Winter Look-alikes What’s that bird on the water surface out in the estuary? The bird that suddenly dives down and reappears a moment later in a different place. It’s definitely not a gull. It could be a loon or a merganser, or a Cormorant. They are all winter residents in Taylor’s Creek and they all look quite similar from a distance. Identification is tough, as all of them tip their bills upward as they swim along. Below from left to right: Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon and Double-Crested Cormorant. Looking closer at each of these diving water birds, you can see the differences, particularly if you examine the bills. Here are two species of mergansers with similar bills, each having a distinctive topknot… Red-breasted Merganser (female and male) Female Hooded Merganser Mergansers are ducks, known to be strong swimmers, divers, and fish-eaters, often called “hell divers.” Here’s a slideshow of the colorful Red-breasted Merganser … Loons are duck-like waterfowl, but they are not related to ducks or mergansers. Here’s the Common Loon with its dagger-like bill and white chin and neck. It’s also a “hell-diver” that can remain underwater for long periods… Here’s the Double-Crested Cormorant riding low in the water. Note (slideshow) that it has a hooked bill and a blue eye… Double-crested Cormorant Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. Rachel Carson For more bird look-alikes, click here: Sandpipers. Which is which? >> Look Alike Hawks >> Birds of Black >> Please follow and like: Share this:FacebookXLike this:Like Loading... Post navigation Dumpster DiversWaterfront Gulls