Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: Drpepper on December 27, 2016, 01:53:26 PM

Title: Scaup
Post by: Drpepper on December 27, 2016, 01:53:26 PM

How can I determine the difference between a Lesser and a Greater Scaup?
Also, in the towards the top left corner there is a bird with extra white on its neck. Is this just a Scaup with some weird feathers or something else entirely?
(https://beginnerbirder.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/dsc01576.jpg?w=768)

Title: Re: Scaup
Post by: Paul O'Toole on December 27, 2016, 03:38:27 PM

Here is a really good look at both species side by side. Not sure whats with the other duck and the white neck high up.

https://www.utahbirds.org/featarts/Scaup.htm

Title: Re: Scaup
Post by: Reuven_M on December 27, 2016, 03:41:52 PM

The best way to identify is based on head shape. See here: https://www.utahbirds.org/featarts/Scaup.htm (https://www.utahbirds.org/featarts/Scaup.htm). This does take some practice. In winter in our area, Greater Scaup is far more common (probably about 1000 Greater:1 Lesser). All of your birds look like Greater Scaup to me. The one bird you point out just has one or a couple of back feathers sticking up out of place.

Title: Re: Scaup
Post by: Drpepper on December 27, 2016, 04:47:24 PM

Thank you!

Title: Re: Scaup
Post by: Drpepper on December 31, 2016, 04:41:39 PM

(https://beginnerbirder.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/dsc01593.jpg?w=768)
So from the website you mentioned, I would think this is a lesser scaup based on the head shape. Correct or incorrect?

Title: Re: Scaup
Post by: Reuven_M on December 31, 2016, 04:44:59 PM

Yes!