Migration often brings unusual species to MRWC. Some are passing through and some are blown off course as they travel. This year's visitor was a Long-tailed Duck.
Long-tailed Ducks breed in the far north and pass through parts of Alberta as they head for salt water to winter. These attractive, little ducks have three different plumages over a year and are capable of diving to depth of 200 feet!
This duck was found late last fall on the ground in Red Deer, in terrible condition. It was very thin, had sustained internal damage, and unfortunately did not survive. We did, however, learn a lot about this species in the short time it was with us.