Blanco

Rosybill Pochards (Netta peposaca) are king of South American ducks.  The drake rosybill is synonymous and inseparable with Argentina duck hunting in my mind.  I first became fascinated with them years before ever Argentina duck hunting, while reading about them, seeing photos duck straps heavy with a morning's take.  My first Argentina sighting many years ago: the red fleshy knobs of the drakes' bills contrasted with onyx-black plumage was instantly recognizable from across the wide lagoon as they raced towards our blind.

The rosybill, pato picasso as called by Argentine guides, is a highly social species that flocks even during the breeding season.  Large, swiftly-flying ducks that are suckers to good decoy spreads, they easily remain my personal favorite while duck hunting in Argentina and Uruguay.  Among Argentine estancia chefs, rosybills are the bird of choice for entres and hors d'oeuvres (followed closely by the yellow-billed pintail). I've eaten it prepared many different ways.  All are delicious.

Duck hunting is not as popular among the Argentinean and Uruguay citizenry as here in the US.  Traditionally, perdiz hunting seems to be most prevalent.  Our long-time Uruguayan outfitter grew up hunting with his father and grandfather not only for perdiz, but for ducks as well.

He understood duck hunting and what it takes to consistently put ducks over the decoys, and his hunting program proves it.  Like myself, he also has high regard for the rosybill's sporting qualities.  He once advised, "Never shoot the second rosybill.  The second bird decides where to go and they will continue to decoy."  Far easier said than done - especially when a flock of rosies sweeps over the decoys like a speeding, black freight train - I've yet to prove his theory.

Several years ago while duck hunting in Argentina, we were blessed by a magnificent morning flight of rosybills.  We let them work and fired only when they were fully committed to the decoys.  Choosing drakes-only, it was one of the most memorable duck hunts in Argentina that I can remember.  Only once have I witnessed a greater concentration of rosybill pochards, and that was during a recent visit to our Las Flores Argentina duck hunting operation.

As we stepped into the blind one morning, an absence of seats was immediately noticed.  I was assured they'd not be needed as the generous, lodge-imposed 50-duck limits would be achieved quickly.  Within the hour, our limits were in hand and, with the exception of a speckled teal pair, consisted entirely of rosybill pochards!  From right to left and at 20 to 30 yards, rosybill flocks had decoyed continuously.  Epic.

One memorable Argentina duck hunt at Las Flores took place in a small wetland about an acre in size.  Until it had lightened enough, I sat quietly and enjoyed watching Diego chip away at the predawn flight of white-faced whistlers and teal, mere shadows streaking through orange-tinged sky.  If I fired any previous shots, I really can't remember.

But I'll never forget what happened next.

That big, white bird leading the locked pair of rosybills, subtly emerging from the blurred shadows of visual periphery and floating slow-motion into the decoys: spellbinding.  Through the imperfect filter of memory I recall a single beam of sunlight illuminating it like an onstage performance.  The albino drake rosybill folded first, the drake rosy behind it fell next.  Duck of a lifetime and a fitting tribute to my continuing obsession with rosybill pochards.

Ramsey Russell's GetDucks.com