Will it April Fool ya?

By Charlie • April 1, 2008 • 11 comments

Apologies if readers have no idea what I’m talking about, but here in the UK we have a tradition of playing pranks or tricks on each other on the 1st of April. Technically this posting is a bit late - noon is the cut-off for April Fool japery - and it isn’t even really an April Fool because the image I’m presenting here isn’t altered or photoshopped - it’s cropped but otherwise exactly as I took it - but it’s not quite as straightforward as you might think. So with even more apologies to Mike and Corey for leaping in with an unscheduled post…can you identify the species in the photograph? It was taken at Bolsa Chica in January this year, and that’s all the help I’m going to give you until I post the answer sometime tomorrow…

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About the Author

Charlie

Charlie works for an airline and has birded all over the world for twenty years. He wants to be a writer, and thinks no-one would believe his life could be so charmed if he didn't take photos of as many of the birds he sees as possible. Blogging with 10,000 Birds fits his aims, needs, and insecurities perfectly. Really - do birders get much more fortunate than this?

11 Responses to “Will it April Fool ya?”

Corey Apr 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 am

I can’t believe our readers are such a bunch of lightweights that they can’t even hazard a guess…we’ve been overestimating you guys, I guess.
Greg Apr 2nd, 2008 at 9:32 am

So Corey…what’s YOUR guess? I’ll say American black ducks just to break the ice. And BTW, Charlie, April Fool’s Day is a longstanding USA tradition and it doesn’t stop at noon, either.
Nathan Apr 2nd, 2008 at 9:57 am

Taunting, Corey? Fine, it worked on me : )

My guess is Bufflehead (left) and Horned Grebe (right), though I hesitate at the caveat that it’s not a straightforward as it looks.
John Apr 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 am

Horned Grebe (left) and Mallard (right).
Dave W. Apr 2nd, 2008 at 1:22 pm

Female Bufflehead left, male right.
Charlie Apr 2nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm

Hi All - no answers yet (not NEARLY enough guesses) but, Greg, I did know about the US having April Fool’s but - and I say this with great pride - we have regular readers all over the world and I like to be inclusive
Corey Apr 2nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm

@Greg: I’d've guessed but Charlie already provided me with the answer!
Jack Apr 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 pm

I have to go with the female bufflehead on the left, but the bird on the right could be another one (a very faint white strip on the head) or possible a female common goldeneye.
Greg Apr 2nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm

Charlie: Thanks for the clarification. I am well aware that this blog is global! I’m stumped & only threw out my guess to appease Corey & get the ball rolling. ):–)

Corey: I suspected as much, but thought I’d see. If you were really evil you’d disclaim prior knowledge and throw out some wild “guess” to throw people off.

Can’t wait for the answer!
Mike Apr 2nd, 2008 at 3:35 pm

Greg, don’t underestimate how evil Corey can be. You’ve seen some of his diabolical ID quizzes, haven’t you?
Dave W. Apr 2nd, 2008 at 4:55 pm

How about Bufflehead left, Eurasian Wigeon right. Has anyone got one of them right yet?

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