Hi Mike
Seeing Australian Wood Ducks (Chenonetta jubata) almost daily I had taken
the green speculum on adults for granted. Some may not know that the
speculum on ducks is iridescent so looks different colours from different
angles. I have checked all four common field guides and none show any green
in their illustrations. Nor does HANZAB.
However in Plumages Section in HANZAB, it states (for adult males)....'Dark
glossy areas of secondaries form a small dark green speculum, most strongly
iridescent near the body'.....(for females)..'slightly smaller speculum,
dark green in most lights, less iridescent than male'.
Hope that this helps.
Cheers
Roy
www.birdingservices.com.au
birding tours and accommodation
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