Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) get their name from the faint cinnamon-brown ring that is at the base of its neck and difficult to see. It is a compact diving duck with a characteristic sloping forehead and peaked rear crown that flattens when it dives. This species breed in southeast and east-central Alaska, central British Columbia, east through northern Canada to Newfoundland. Some breed in northern California, Arizona, New York, Colorado and Massachusetts where they prefer sedge meadows marshes and bogs. The female picks the nesting site and builds the nest usually on floating vegetation. She lays 8-10 eggs. During the winter, Ring-necked Ducks migrate as far south as Central America (Costa Rica), the north Caribbean and are occasional visitors to Trinidad, Venezuela and Europe. They prefer small shallow ponds such as Beaver ponds, swamps and small bays where they dive to feed on clams, snails, tubers and seeds. They are frequently seen in the company of Lesser Scaups. (Information summarized from www. ducks.org, http://www.allaboutbirds.org).