This little guy is a celebrity who is drawing large crowds of birders and photographers from around the continent to the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge in California’s Pacific Fly-way belt.

His native home is China where I’ve read they’re hunted extensively. The burning question is did he migrate, is he a stow-away, or an escapee from a private zoo? No one knows how he came to be here, but they have been spotted in California  further north of here  in Lassen County back in 1969, 2002, and 2003.

His name Falcated refers to his sickle-shaped wing feathers.

I called him feisty because he was not shy about telling off the American Wigeons he was swimming peacefully with only seconds before.

I think he’s taken a fancy to the female Wigeon and is showing off his lovely iridescent colors, and fine plumage.

Below he’s swimming with White-fronted Geese and a male American Wigeon.

This celebrity doesn’t sign autographs or grant interviews, but don’t let that stop you from going to see him. It’s been said before and I’ll say it again, “This is no ugly duckling!”

Nikon D700| Nikkor 70-300mm VR

fact resource  http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/06/4166680/falcated-duck-attracts-bird-watchers.html