Alamo Delta Waterfowl

10/12/2026

🪿🔥 **MYSTERY MONDAY — THE FINAL WINGED WEDNESDAY!** 🔥🪿

Alright y'all, we've officially reached the **LAST BIRD** in our original Winged Wednesday lineup!

We've covered some incredible waterfowl, learned a few tricks for identifying birds on the wing, and hopefully helped a few hunters sharpen their skills along the way.

But we're not giving this last one away! 😂

🚫 **NO AI. NO GOOGLE LENS.** Let's finish strong! Remember, AI won't help you keep from shooting over your limit!

🪶 **IDENTIFICATION:**

This week's mystery bird is a large, powerful goose with a brownish-gray body, black head and neck, and a distinctive **white patch along the cheeks and throat**.

Unlike some of our previous birds, **males and females look nearly identical**, although males are generally larger.

🪽 **IN FLIGHT:**

Look for a long neck, broad wings, and a strong, steady wingbeat. These birds often travel in **V-shaped formations**, especially during migration.

👀 **SIZE MATTERS:**

Here's something interesting! Depending on the population and subspecies, these geese can vary considerably in size. Not every bird with these markings is built exactly the same.

📅 **WHEN YOU'LL SEE THEM:**

These birds are common across much of North America, but their presence varies throughout Texas. They're more regularly encountered in northern parts of the state during winter, while sightings around South Texas are less predictable.

🌾 **HABITAT & FEEDING:**

Look for them around lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, grasslands, agricultural fields, and open areas near water.

They feed primarily on **grasses, seeds, agricultural grains, and other plant material**.

🤯 **FUN FACT:**

These geese are known for strong family bonds! Pairs often remain together for years, and family groups may stay together through migration and into winter.

🎯 **HUNTER'S TIP:**

Don't rely on size alone! Study the **head and neck pattern, white facial markings, body proportions, and distinctive honking calls**.

And remember, different goose species can share feeding and resting areas. Positive identification matters!

🌿 **CONSERVATION CORNER:**

Wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural landscapes provide essential habitat for these birds throughout their annual cycle.

While some populations have adapted remarkably well to human-altered environments, others face challenges involving habitat changes and breeding-ground conditions.

**Healthy habitat and responsible wildlife management help keep waterfowl populations sustainable for future generations.**

🪿 **ONE FINAL CHALLENGE!**

We've spent weeks learning how to recognize waterfowl by their bills, wings, body shapes, colors, and behavior.

Now it's time to put those skills to work one last time!

👇 **WHAT'S YOUR GUESS?**

Tag your hunting buddies and see who can finish the series with a perfect score!

🔥 **THE FINAL BIG REVEAL COMES WINGED WEDNESDAY!**

10/07/2026

We have one more next week and then we are switching gears for our next series of Need to know info! But here’s the one from
Monday!

🪿🔥 WINGED WEDNESDAY — THE BIG REVEAL! 🔥🪿

Alright y’all, last week we gave you the Snow Goose. This week we wanted to see who could tell its smaller cousin apart.

The mystery bird was the…

ROSS’S GOOSE! 🪿

If you guessed Snow Goose at first glance, that’s exactly why we put these two back-to-back. They can look VERY similar, especially when they’re mixed together in a big flock.

👀 THE BIGGEST CLUES:
Ross’s Goose is generally smaller and more compact, with a shorter neck, rounded head and a short, stubby pinkish bill.

😁 WHERE’S THE GRIN?
Remember last week’s Snow Goose and its noticeable dark “grinning patch” along the bill? Ross’s Goose generally lacks that prominent grin, making the bill one of your best close-up identification tools.

🪽 IN FLIGHT:
Just like the Snow Goose, the typical white Ross’s has a white body with contrasting black primary feathers. That’s why black wingtips alone aren’t enough to make the ID!

⚫ AND THAT DARK BIRD IN PHOTO #2?
That was our curveball. Ross’s Goose can occur in a rare dark/blue morph, giving you that dark body and white head while still retaining the smaller proportions and short bill of a Ross’s.

🌾 HABITAT & FEEDING:
During fall and winter, Ross’s Geese can be found in agricultural fields, grasslands, shallow wetlands and marshes, often right alongside other light geese. They feed heavily on grasses, roots, seeds and waste grain.

🎯 HUNTER’S TAKEAWAY:
When Snow and Ross’s are flying together, remember:

SNOW = BIGGER + LONGER BILL + GRIN
ROSS’S = SMALLER + ROUNDER HEAD + SHORT BILL + LITTLE/NO GRIN

That’s the kind of identification that matters when you’ve only got seconds to make the call.

🌿 CONSERVATION CORNER:
Ross’s Geese make an incredible migration between Arctic breeding grounds and southern wintering areas. Wetlands, grasslands and agricultural habitats along that route provide essential places to feed, rest and roost.

👇 WHO NAILED THIS ONE?!
And who got bonus points for recognizing that unusual dark bird? 👀😂

10/05/2026

🪿 MYSTERY MONDAY — WINGED WEDNESDAY! 👀🔥

Alright y’all, last week we learned one white goose. This week we’re going to see if you were actually paying attention. 😂

Take a close look at BOTH photos. You’ve got birds on the wing, birds on the ground…and one in that second photo that looks a whole lot different from its buddies.

Yep—they’re the same species. 👀

🚫 No AI. No Google Lens. Use what you learned last week and study the field marks. AI won’t help you keep from shooting over your limit!

🪽 ON THE WING:
Our first photo gives you a great look at the flight pattern: a predominantly white body and wings with sharply contrasting black primaries. Sound familiar? That’s why you’ve got to look beyond color.

👀 HEAD & BILL:
This week’s bird has a small, rounded head and short, stubby pinkish bill. Look closely—the bill doesn’t show the large, obvious dark “grinning patch” we talked about last week.

📏 SIZE & SHAPE:
This is a smaller, more compact goose with a shorter-looking neck and more delicate overall profile than its larger white look-alike.

⚫ WAIT…WHAT’S THAT DARK ONE?!
Look at the second photo. That dark-bodied bird with the white head isn’t a random visitor. Dark/blue-type individuals can occur in this species too, although they’re much less common. That’s your curveball for the week!

🌾 HABITAT:
During fall and winter, look for these birds using agricultural fields, grasslands, shallow wetlands and marshes, frequently mixed into much larger flocks of other light geese.

🌱 FEEDING:
They feed primarily on grasses, roots, seeds and waste grain, often moving between feeding fields and wetland roosts.

🎯 HUNTER’S TIP:
This is where identification skills really matter. When similar white geese are mixed together, think:

SIZE → HEAD → BILL → VOICE

Don’t make the call based on white feathers and black wingtips alone.

🌿 CONSERVATION CORNER:
These birds make an incredible long-distance migration between Arctic breeding grounds and southern wintering areas. Wetlands, grasslands and agricultural habitats along that route provide critical places to feed, rest and roost.

🧠 THE CHALLENGE:
Last week’s bird was larger with a longer bill and noticeable grinning patch.

This week’s bird?

Smaller. Rounder. Shorter bill. No prominent grin. 👀

👇 WHAT’S YOUR GUESS?

And if you know what that unusual dark bird in Photo #2 represents, throw that in the comments too!

THE BIG REVEAL COMES WINGED WEDNESDAY! 🪿🔥

10/02/2026

🦆 ALAMO DELTA WATERFOWL MONTHLY MEET-UP!

We’ve got some planning to do! Join us Wednesday, October 7th at 6:00 PM at Pluckers on 410.

On the table:

🎯 S***t Shoot — getting a date on the calendar
🦆 Youth Hunts — dates and which kids are going
📅 2027 Planning — maybe adding another smaller chapter event
💡 Plus any ideas YOU want to bring to the table!

📍 Pluckers – 92 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78216
⏰ 6:00 PM

Grab some wings, have a cold one, and help us figure out what’s next for Alamo Delta. Members, newcomers, hunters, conservationists—everybody is welcome.

Bring a friend and bring some ideas! 🦆🍻

10/01/2026

I’m a day late! Sorry College gets in the way sometimes!

SNOW GOOSE!

And yep—BOTH of those completely different-looking birds were Snow Geese! 👀

⚪ WHITE MORPH:
The classic look: mostly white plumage with bold black wingtips, a pink bill and pinkish legs.

🔵 BLUE MORPH:
Same species! The blue morph has a dark gray-to-slate body with a white head, giving it a dramatically different appearance from the white morph.

👀 CHECK THE BILL:
One of the best close-range clues is that pink bill with the noticeable dark “grinning patch” along the cutting edge. Remember that one—we’re going to need it when Ross’s Goose hits Winged Wednesday. 😉

🪽 ON THE WING:
Those contrasting black primary feathers against the white wings are one of the easiest features to pick out when a flock is overhead.

🌾 HABITAT & FEEDING:
During winter, Snow Geese can gather in huge flocks around coastal marshes, wetlands and agricultural fields, feeding on grasses, roots, seeds and waste grain.

🎯 HUNTER’S TIP:
A field full of white geese doesn’t necessarily mean they’re all the same species. Size, head shape, bill structure and voice matter. That’s especially important when Snow and Ross’s Geese are mixed together.

🌿 CONSERVATION CORNER:
Snow Geese rely on a network of habitats throughout their migration—from northern breeding grounds to wetlands, coastal marshes and agricultural landscapes farther south. Maintaining those habitats keeps critical feeding and resting areas available throughout their journey.

📸 A LITTLE ALAMO CONNECTION:
We got to chase these birds ourselves last season alongside Canada geese. That’s exactly why we’re doing Winged Wednesday—knowing what you’re looking at when multiple species are moving together matters in the field.

👇 WHO GOT IT RIGHT?!
And bonus points to anybody who knew the dark bird was a blue-morph Snow Goose! 😂

09/28/2026

Good Morning!

MYSTERY MONDAY — LET’S KICK OFF WINGED WEDNESDAY! 👀🔥

Alright y’all, we’re getting close to the end of our original Winged Wednesday lineup, and this week we’re moving from ducks to geese.

Take a good look at the photos because there’s a twist this week: those very different-looking birds are the SAME species. 👀

🚫 No AI. No Google Lens. Use the field marks and your own waterfowl knowledge. AI won’t help you keep from shooting over your limit! 😂

⚪ TWO DIFFERENT LOOKS:
This species occurs in two distinct color morphs. One is mostly white, while the other has a dark gray/blue body with a white head. Same bird—completely different appearance!

🪽 IN FLIGHT:
On the light-colored birds, look for the dramatic black primary feathers at the wingtips contrasting against an otherwise white wing and body. That’s a field mark you can pick up from a long way off.

👀 CHECK THAT BILL:
Notice the pinkish bill with a dark line or “grinning patch” along the cutting edge. Remember that feature—we’re going to test you on it again when we cover another very similar goose. 😉

📅 WHEN YOU’LL SEE THEM:
These are long-distance migrants that arrive in Texas during the colder months, with large concentrations using Texas coastal and agricultural areas during winter.

🌾 HABITAT:
Look for them in coastal marshes, wetlands, shallow water, grasslands and agricultural fields—sometimes gathered in enormous flocks.

🌱 FEEDING:
They feed heavily on grasses, roots, seeds, grain and other plant material, often moving between feeding fields and wetlands used for resting and roosting.

🎯 HUNTER’S TIP:
When multiple goose species are working the same field, don’t rely on white feathers alone. Pay attention to body size, bill shape, head profile, wing pattern and voice before making the call.

🌿 CONSERVATION CORNER:
Migrating geese depend on a combination of wetlands, coastal marshes, grasslands and agricultural landscapes. Maintaining those habitats provides critical places to feed, rest and roost during their long migrations.

🤔 BONUS QUESTION:
If both the white bird AND dark-bodied bird are the same species… what are we looking at?

👇 Drop your guess below and tag your hunting buddy who thinks they know their geese!

THE BIG REVEAL COMES WINGED WEDNESDAY! 🪿🔥

09/27/2026

Let’s go!

09/27/2026

09/25/2026

115 years of working for ducks, wetlands, and the future of waterfowl hunting. 🦆

Here in San Antonio, we’re proud to be one small part of Delta Waterfowl’s story. Every member, volunteer, donor, and partner helps keep that work going. Thank you for supporting Delta and our Alamo Chapter. Here’s to the next 115 years!

09/23/2026

🦆🔥 WINGED WEDNESDAY — THE BIG REVEAL! 🔥🦆

Alright y’all, time to reveal this week’s mystery bird!

🥁🥁🥁

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK!

If you’re around South Texas, there’s a good chance you’ve seen—or HEARD—these guys before! They definitely aren’t your typical-looking duck.

🪶 MALE VS. FEMALE:
Here’s what made this week’s challenge different: males and females look extremely similar. Both have that chestnut-colored body, black belly, grayish face, bright pinkish-red bill and those unmistakably long pink legs. In the field, plumage generally isn’t enough to reliably tell the sexes apart.

🪽 THE GIVEAWAY IN FLIGHT:
Once those wings open, that large white wing patch really stands out. Combine that with the long neck and legs trailing behind, and you’ve got some excellent identification clues.

🎶 LISTEN UP:
There’s a reason they’re called a Whistling-Duck! Their distinctive whistling call often lets you know they’re around before you ever spot them.

🌳 A DUCK IN A TREE?!
Yep! These birds are excellent perchers and commonly nest in tree cavities. Seeing a bunch of ducks hanging out in a tree can look pretty strange if you don’t know what you’re looking at. 😂

🌾 HABITAT & FEEDING:
Look for them around shallow freshwater wetlands, ponds, marshes, flooded fields, pastures and agricultural areas. They feed heavily on seeds, grasses, grains and other plant material.

🌿 CONSERVATION CORNER:
Protecting freshwater wetlands and suitable nesting habitat gives these birds—and plenty of other Texas wildlife—places to feed, nest, rest and raise their young.

🎯 THIS WEEK’S TAKEAWAY:
Knowing your waterfowl isn’t always about telling a drake from a hen. Sometimes it’s about recognizing the silhouette, wing pattern, behavior and even the SOUND of the bird.

👇 WHO GOT IT RIGHT WITHOUT GOOGLE LENS?! 😂

Drop a 🦆 below if you called Black-bellied Whistling-Duck before the reveal!

Another Mystery Monday is coming! 👀🔥