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 Many
birds and animals stay in Maine all winter long. Along our coast are found
many Sea Ducks such as these beautiful Eiders. These large ducks are among
the largest of sea ducks. Along with Old Squaws, Buffleheads, Goldeneyes,
and Scoters, sea duck hunting is a very popular sport during the late
fall months. Mr. Grignon mounts these birds for people from all over the
world that come to Maine for the hunting season. Eiders are very abundant
along the coast of Maine, numbering in the many thousands. The white and
black bird is the male drake eider. The beautiful mottled brown one is
the female. Most hen ducks are not as colorful as the male. These birds
have been designed by God to have the perfect camouflage as they must
sit on their nests a long time, then raise their chicks.
 These
beautiful Black Ducks are found on almost any river or marsh in Maine.
Their breeding range is scattered over all of eastern Canada and the northeastern
United State's. They migrate south in the winter when the lakes and ponds
freeze. Sexes are almost identical, a trait shared by no other common
duck. Females can be distinguished by the V-shaped markings on their chest
feathers and the mottled olive green bill. The drakes have a more colorful
yellow bill and orange feet. Both sexes have beautiful orange feet They
are a very wary bird and are very difficult to hunt.
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