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Thread: A Plumage Question

  1. #1
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    Default A Plumage Question

    I have shot many Grebes, I have noticed that these guys get a rust like color or substance as seen in the photo, around the front lower chest area, I have often wondered what this is and what causes it but never got around to asking anyone..
    Thanks..


  2. #2
    Fabs Forns
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    I'm not sure of this, but judging by the location that coincides with the water level, it may be produced by something in the water?

  3. #3
    Jeff Wear
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    I will second that what ever is in the water coats the feathers like in your shot .I have seen the same thing with a grebe

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    Rust is pretty close to the mark. There is an iron-fixing bacteria present in the sediment of wetlands in many areas. They produce a stain that adheres to the plumage of birds that frequent these areas. Look at the faces of snow geese and tundra swans in California or northern Alaska for example. BUT, I don't think I see this on the grebe at the start of this thread. At low-res this looks like bits of vegetation?

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    Hi Marcus

    Declan's is on the right track.

    The most likely cause of of this 'staining' (IMO) is incubation duties of the bird. A grebe nest is, in essence, a pile of rotting vegetation & this will explain the pieces also noted by Declan. I've just been looking at some of my breeding auk images & some show similar discolouration.

    Cheers: Wayne

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    Thanks for the replies!
    I have to say though that I am still a bit stummped with this, as I have photos of just about every diving duck, grebes etc.. They all get this, but only in the local waterways inland.
    I never see them in the ocean with this, The above photo is a mild patch, I do have many that have it much thicker, It does seem to start at water level (nothing above or out of the water) ..
    Thanks again.

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