1cy male in non-breeding plumage. The dark well-defined cap and the pure white cheek indicate a male, and the diffuse streak through the cheek indicate that the bird is young. The stiff-tailed ducks, like the Ruddy Duck, follow another molt pattern than most of the other duck species. The summer/alternate plumage is the colorful one and all birds are drab in winter, which is opposite to the other ducks.
Female. Likely adult based on the grayish look. In relation to sex, the perception of a brighter and less well-defined cap and dirty cheek with stronger stripe through it are in favor of a female.
Adult female. Based on grayish tones, and more specific on the fact that older females apparently have longer and more pointed inner secondaries, something I like to perceive in the this photo.
1471 (1 photos) 2012-04-06 Salinas de Cuyutlán, Colima (Col), Mexico
2cy male. A bird that shows such a white cheek without indications of the dark cheek stripe, and without showing any other traces of the male breeding plumage, I can only conclude to be a young male.
1472 (1 photos) 2013-01-28 Valle de las Garzas (laguna), Manzanillo, Colima (Col), Mexico
Female. Uncertain of age.
1473 (1 photos) 2013-01-28 Salinas de Cuyutlán, Colima (Col), Mexico
Female. Perhaps young bird because of the brownish colors?
1474 (1 photos) 2013-01-28 Valle de las Garzas (laguna), Manzanillo, Colima (Col), Mexico
Female. Same as 1473. Probably young bird. Characteristic profile with the lifted tail.
1475 (1 photos) 2013-01-28 Valle de las Garzas (laguna), Manzanillo, Colima (Col), Mexico
Female. Same as 1473.
1476 (1 photos) 2013-01-28 Valle de las Garzas (laguna), Manzanillo, Colima (Col), Mexico
Male. Probably young bird with the grayish colors.
1477 (1 photos) 2013-01-28 Valle de las Garzas (laguna), Manzanillo, Colima (Col), Mexico