Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: rocklakemama on April 12, 2014, 11:14:16 PM

Title: Please identify these birds for us :)
Post by: rocklakemama on April 12, 2014, 11:14:16 PM

We saw many birds for the first time yesterday in Toronto. Can you identify these for us?  :D

Title: Re: Please identify these birds for us :)
Post by: paul_reeves on April 13, 2014, 05:47:31 AM

The first birds look like Greater Scaup because the heads look rounded. The green head on the male could make them Lesser Scaup, though; it's hard to tell,

The second one is a Redhead.

Title: Re: Please identify these birds for us :)
Post by: lovemypt on April 13, 2014, 07:48:57 AM

yes Greater and Redhead,  but don't use colouring alone for id of scaups, as Lesser male would look more purple not green ( green is for Greater). Scaup's head colour tends to have a metallic/ iridescence effect and depending upon what angle and angle of sun hitting it would give off a certain colour. Shape of top of head is best tell sign

Title: Re: Please identify these birds for us :)
Post by: paul_reeves on April 13, 2014, 07:52:56 AM

That's why I don't use colouring for Scaup because I never get it right. The "bump" on the head is, for me, the easiest way to tell the two apart.

Title: Re: Please identify these birds for us :)
Post by: rocklakemama on April 13, 2014, 08:43:50 AM

Thank you both!