Need help identifying

[sbolerjack]

I need your help. A new friend joined our pond yesterday. At first when it flew in, I thought it was a duck. Mannerisms are similar. It’s about the size of my Rouens. We do have migratory geese from time to time, but none look like this. Most of its body stays in the water, unlike ducks and geese. It seems lost and was waiting on my ducks this morning when I let them out. The weirdest shaped head.
What do you think it is?

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

It's swimming posture is identical to a cormorant's.

 

[mdees88]

It's swimming posture is identical to a cormorant's.

I agree. My swimming cormorant image looks the same. Looks like a cormorant to me...

If you ever get a close look at it, they have very pretty eyes....

 

[mdees88]

Thanks. After some research, I do believe that’s what it is. It’s strange that it’s by itself.

They are often seem in large flocks but I've seen plenty of them by themselves. My parents have had a few at their pond. I always "encourage" them to move along and find a new home. They are fish eating machines. I think they eat a pound a day....

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

It's swimming posture is identical to a cormorant's.

I agree. My swimming cormorant image looks the same. Looks like a cormorant to me...

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If you ever get a close look at it, they have very pretty eyes....

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Your photos are just phenomenal, amazing!

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

Thanks. After some research, I do believe that’s what it is. It’s strange that it’s by itself.

I have often seen them by themselves when they are looking for food, in fact one local pond has a group of only four and the other pond has a group of 2-20 depending on the weather!

They are often seem in large flocks but I've seen plenty of them by themselves. My parents have had a few at their pond. I always "encourage" them to move along and find a new home. They are fish eating machines. I think they eat a pound a day....

They for sure eat A LOT! Watching them fly always gives me a giggle though, they are oddly beautiful looking birdies!

 

[mdees88]

Depends on where you live. That could very well be a loon.

Loons, anhingas, and cormorants can be easily misidentified. I used to refer to them all as water turkeys until i learned how to differentiate between them. They are similar in size and shape.

Loons have dark beaks that taper down to a point like Anhingas. Cormorants beaks are more orange and turn down at the end, making them look blunt. Also, loons bodies tend to sit higher in the water than a cormorant, more like a duck. Here are a couple loon pics....

 

[Canadian Wind]

Or, if you live in Canada:

 

[ruthhope]

I need your help. A new friend joined our pond yesterday. At first when it flew in, I thought it was a duck. Mannerisms are similar. It’s about the size of my Rouens. We do have migratory geese from time to time, but none look like this. Most of its body stays in the water, unlike ducks and geese. It seems lost and was waiting on my ducks this morning when I let them out. The weirdest shaped head.
What do you think it is?

I think its a juvenile anhinga! We get them in St Augustine sharing ponds with ducks,

 

[casportpony]

Maybe a Grebe?