Birds of the Alameda Shoreline

This guide includes over 50 bird species found along the beaches of Alameda. Look through the guide to see multiple photos of each species as well as range maps and information about habitats and feeding habits.

Mallard

The Mallard (/ˈmælɑrd/ or /ˈmælərd/) or Wild Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia. This duck belongs to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae.

Northern Pintail

The Pintail or Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is a duck with wide geographic distribution that breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is migratory and winters south of its breeding range to the equator.

American Wigeon

The American Wigeon, also American Widgeon or Baldpate, (Anas americana) is a species of dabbling duck found in North America. This species is classified with the other wigeons in the dabbling duck genus Anas, which may be split, in which case wigeons could go into their old genus Mareca again. It is the New World counterpart of the Eurasian ...more ↓

Northern Shoveler

The Northern Shoveler (/ˈʃʌvələr/; Anas clypeata), or Northern Shoveller in British English, sometimes known simply as the Shoveller, is a common and widespread duck. It breeds in northern areas of Europe and Asia and across most of North America, wintering in southern Europe, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Central, and northern South America. ...more ↓

Gadwall

The Gadwall (Anas strepera) is a common and widespread duck of the family Anatidae.

Bufflehead

The Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is a small American sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes.

Lesser Scaup

The Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) is a small North American diving duck that migrates south as far as Central America in winter. It is colloquially known as the Little Bluebill or Broadbill because of its distinctive blue bill. The origin of the name scaup may stem from the bird's preference for feeding on scalp – the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels; ...more ↓

Edited by Marisa Rafter, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)