Ring Necked Pheasant Bird – Fowl like bird – 2/4/2012

The Ring-Necked Pheasant was photographed at the Bong State Recreational Area in Kansasville, Wisconsin.

Select this link to see photos or a slideshow of the Ring Necked Pheasant

A large highly colored and iridescent gamecock-like bird with a long sweeping pointed tail, scarlet waffles on its face, and a white neck-ring. It is a shy bird and runs swiftly, and has a strong flight and noisy takeoff. It was introduced from Asia as a game bird. It thrives in some areas, such as northern prairies. Flocks of these pheasants often are segregated into small groups of males, and larger flocks of females. It ranges widely in North America. It has a habitat at farms, fields, marsh edges, and brush. It feeds on a wide variety of grains and small seeds, green shoots, buds, roots, berries, insects, spiders, earthworms, etc. Typically feeds on the ground scratching and digging with the feet.

 

Long Tailed Duck or Oldsquaw – Swimmers – 2/11/2012

This Long-Tailed Duck was seen and photographed at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Select this link to see photos or a slideshow of the Long Tailed Duck

The only sea duck combining white on the body and unpatterned dark wings with a needle like tail. In winter his tale is shorter and his normal eye patch is fainter. This is the winter plumage. His diet is mollusks, crustaceans, insects, and small fish. His range is the Arctic and circumpolar. His habitat is ocean or large lakes. He became well known as he came from the Artic, was alone, and stayed by himself among other ducks at Lakeshore State park.

Select this link to see photos of his short time home at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin