Rare Ocean Duck Spotted In North Dakota

Avid bird watchers across North Dakota have been flocking to see a rare duck.

Not just any old duck, but a sea duck that is mainly found along the coasts, the Great Lakes, or in Alaska. I'm speaking of a Long-tailed Duck, also known to many as an Oldsquaw duck.

What's especially rare about this ocean duck, which has now been in our state for at least a couple of weeks, according to birding reports, but it's an adult Long-tailed duck, too, which is certainly uncommon.

We occasionally get sea ducks that visit North Dakota each fall and winter, but they're most often juvenile or young birds who lose their way during their migration. Not this Long-tailed duck, this is a full-blown adult, because it has perfect adult plumage. Most sea ducks/diver ducks take at least 3 years before they fully feather out. That's exactly what we have with this beautiful bird.

One North Dakota birder was lucky enough not only to see this bird up close, but he was also able to photograph it.

A stunning shot by Bismarck's Seth Owens. See more of his photography here. This bird has been up on the Garrison Dam now for several weeks. I'm not sure if it took a wrong turn in Alaska, or maybe came over from the Great Lakes; either way, a pretty special capture by Owens.

Where do rare sea ducks occasionally show up in North Dakota?

Sea ducks or Ocean ducks can literally show up on any water in North Dakota, but more often than not, you will find them on big bodies of water. Places like Sakakawea, Audubon, Devils Lake, Stump Lake, Lake Oahe, etc. With that being said, I have a friend who shot a beautiful adult Long-tailed duck, like the one pictured above, on a small prairie slough a few years back, not far from Bismarck.

It wasn't that long ago, there was an even rarer sea duck in North Dakota, a King Eider on Lake Sakakawea, and Lake Audubon a couple of years back.

(SEE ALSO: A BHS Gal has done what virtually no North Dakota hunters have done)

That's why you always want to keep your "eye on the sky" when you are in our state. It's a pretty special place to live. That's what my pup does.