Bahama Pintail (Anas bahamensis)

This species is native to the Neotropics of South America.  Drakes and hens are marked similarly.  Drakes weigh 1 to 1.2 pounds, hens are slightly larger.  The hen lays 6-12 buff colored eggs in April to May and prefers to make her nest in thick vegetation in a ground box near water.

Perhaps one of the more interesting behavioral traits of the Bahama Pintail is what I call (for want of a more scientific descriptor) "posing".  Although more prevalent during the early spring mating season, it also occurs intermittently throughout the year.  It is a very quick guttural whistle accompanied by an abrupt and simultaneous throwback of the head and a hyperextension of the rear out of the water.  It is performed so quickly that it is completed often before I get my camera to my eye.  Below are a few lucky examples I managed to snap.

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