Hunting Bird Species in Latvia

In Latvia, a common and widespread breeder and passage migrant. A small number regularly winter, mainly in the western part and generally after warm November and December months. K. Grigulis (1964) also wrote about wintering several decades ago, noting that there have been cases when woodcocks overwintered, staying in wind-sheltered gullies near unfrozen springs...

The mallard, also called drake or male duck, is the most common and most hunted duck in Latvia. Within its genus, it is the largest (58 cm, 750–1450 g). At the start of the hunting season, both sexes resemble the female; by the end of September, males start acquiring breeding plumage...

In silhouette very similar to the mallard, but smaller in size. The underwing coverts, like the mallard, are white. In flight, the white of the wing speculum is clearly visible, and the belly is lighter than in the mallard...

Medium-sized (48 cm, 700–1400 g) dark (black or dark brown) sea duck. With a long tail, grey sides of the head (females and juveniles) and a grey belly (juveniles). No white on the wings neither above nor below...

Hunted from August 20 – opening of the waterfowl hunting season. Greater white-fronted goose (74–84 cm, 2100–4200 g, usually around 3300 g), more massive, with a thicker neck, head, and bill than the greylag goose. The upper wing front part ash grey, strongly contrasting with the darker rear wing and back...

Large goose (71–89 cm, 2220–4060 g, usually over 2500 g) with very dark head and neck (compared to the similarly sized Greylag Goose). In flight, the wings show no contrasting light and dark patches...

Large (90–100 cm, 2900–5400 g) goose. Unmistakable – black neck and head with bright white sides and underparts. Voice distinct from other geese. In terms of occurrence, the rarest of the hunting geese species in Latvia.

Medium-sized (66–76 cm, 1200–2600 g, usually less than 2500 g) goose. Adult birds are easily distinguished by the white forehead (area around the bill) and black crossbars on the underparts of the body. Young birds do not have the black crossbars or the white on the forehead. On the wings, there are no contrasting light and dark areas...

The silhouette in flight is very distinctive: short, stocky, medium-sized (46 cm, 650–1200 g) diving duck with a large, dark green or brown head and massive triangular bill, short neck, white underparts, dark underwings. Upper wing has a white speculum extending forward. Male in breeding plumage has a white cheek patch...

Vidēji liela nirpīle, augumā nedaudz lielāka par brūnkakli (48 cm, 700–1300 g). Pēc vispārējā krāsojuma ļoti līdzīga cekulpīlei balta josla uz spārna, vēders balts vai balti raibs, taču baltais laukums pie vaiga daudz izteiktāks, mugura un spārnu virspuse izteikti sudraboti raibumota. Tēviņam riesta tērpā zaļa galva, knābis izteikti gaišzils...

Characteristic white or whitish spotted underside, clearly visible pale wing stripe, dark brown or black remaining plumage, yellow eye. Male in breeding plumage has a 3–4 cm long tuft on the back of the head. Hunted throughout the season, most commonly in the second half of October...

Small duck, only slightly larger than the teal (38 cm, 250–450 g). Wings appear lighter (more grayish) on top than the teal. Throat light-colored (unlike the teal, where it is not distinct). The belly is also lighter and contrasts more with the dark back. Both male and female have a light line along the eye from the bill to the nape. The male’s bright breeding plumage is not visible during the hunting season...

The smallest of our ducks (35 cm, 200–400 g). Due to its size, it can be confused with the Garganey, but the teal appears darker on top, with a prominent white mark on the wing separating the green speculum from the front. Wing feather shafts are dark on top (unlike the Garganey). The bill is dark with yellow edges...

Hunted from September 15. Medium-sized duck (46 cm, 500–1000 g). In flight, it appears plump and pale. Both sexes have a white belly. Adult males have a large white patch on the shoulder...

Hunted from September 15. Medium-sized duck (51 cm, 500–900 g) with a short neck and a long, broad bill, giving the head a heavy appearance (neck–head silhouette in flight resembles a slightly raised crocodile head). In flight, noticeable bluish-grey shoulder stripe and white stripe between speculum and shoulder, pale underwing...

Hunted from September 15. Slightly smaller than the Mallard (56 cm, 500–1100 g). In flight, easily distinguished by silhouette – much slimmer than the Mallard, with a longer neck and pointed tail. In autumn plumage, there are no white patches. Male in breeding plumage has a brown head and distinctly elongated tail feathers...

Medium-sized (38 cm, 600–1200 g) rail-like bird. Black with a white unfeathered frontal shield. Juveniles have a narrower, grayish shield, the front of the neck lighter. Raises its wings while running on the water. In flight, the extended legs give it a slight resemblance to a moorhen...