Three Ring-necked Ducks were paddling along an impoundment at Vierra Wetlands in the late afternoon. Yes, the ring is hard to see.  A quick read at Cornell’s All About Birds reveals that the name was provided by 19th century biologists who were examining dead specimens so had a different view of the chestnut collar than those of us observing the bird in the field.

“Golden Eye” would have fit for a name, but might already have been spoken for at the time. Or a name that described the white outlined beak.  No matter the name he is quite a pretty bird.

The male duck was accompanied by a female and a juvenile that didn’t venture far from each other.

Vierra Wetlands, Brevard County, Florida, 1/27/2018