Black and Gray-bellied Brant at Boundary Bay, British Columbia

Young Black Brant (Western nigricans) in first winter plumage with white fringed coverts on left. Adult Black Brant on right. The white collar or necklace is complete. Boundary Bay Regional Park on 29 January 2019.

 

VIDEO: Black (Pacific) Brant at Boundary Bay, British Columbia were so close to the viewing stand we could hear their vocalizations. The commentary is by a gentleman called Rick who explained about the Brant.

Adult Black Brant (Western nigricans) shows black belly and complete white necklace. Boundary Bay Regional Park on 29 January 2019.

 

Typical Black Brant( Western nigricans) which is the expected subspecies, though there are a few Gray-bellied Brant that come through. Boundary Bay Regional Park on 29 January 2019.

 

Gray-bellied Brant breeds on the "western islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago" (National Geographic Guide). It has grey sides and a much paler belly than Black Brant. Also, its necklace is incomplete. Boundary Bay Regional Park on 29 January 2019.

 

Two adult Black Brant (Western nigricans) on left with black bellies and complete white neclaces and one adult Gray-bellied Brant with grey sides, pale belly and incomplete white necklace on right. Boundary Bay Regional Park on 29 January 2019.

 

All with black bellies in this flock. Boundary Bay Regional Park on 29 January 2019.