Duck, Marbled

Conservation status:

Vagrant

Description:

In flight it resembles a small female Pintail, having a fairly long neck, wings and tail. On water it is identified by pale plumage, dappled dark and cream with dark oval patch around the eye in otherwise pale head with long black bill. Head appears large and rounded with steep forehead and, in adult, a bulky crest on lower nape. In flight, wings are fairly pale with slightly paler secondaries but no speculum, and creamy white tail. Often difficult to see hiding in vegetation.