Buddym Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 Hi all. Having a tough time with this female Scaup. Lesser or Greater? Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 It's that time of year again! Location and environment, please. 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buddym Posted October 25 Author Share Posted October 25 Northern Ontario. Was in the shallows of a bay on a large lake. All alone in about 2-3ft of water. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbruenjes Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 I am definitely not an expert, but I was told that head shape is the most important ID characteristic, and I think the rounded head on your bird would indicate a greater scaup.. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PalmWarbler Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 32 minutes ago, sbruenjes said: I am definitely not an expert, but I was told that head shape is the most important ID characteristic, and I think the rounded head on your bird would indicate a greater scaup.. Agreed but I am far from an expert. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 Head shape is helpful, but not 100% reliable. Both can have very similar head shapes depending on what the birds are doing (e.g. resting vs active). 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 3 hours ago, Buddym said: All alone in about 2-3ft of water. I recall Greater prefer deep water, and are less likely to be seen alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 Just now, Charlie Spencer said: I recall Greater prefer deep water, and are less likely to be seen alone. I've seen one all alone. Don't know how deep the water was, though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 (edited) 1 minute ago, The Bird Nuts said: I've seen one all alone. Don't know how deep the water was, though. Yeah, just tossing that out. I'd have gone with 'Greater / Lesser' if I'd seen it. Edited October 25 by Charlie Spencer 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulK Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 8 hours ago, Charlie Spencer said: I recall Greater prefer deep water, and are less likely to be seen alone. I just had an indisputable Greater all alone in a tiny little pond a couple of weeks ago. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 7 hours ago, PaulK said: I just had an indisputable Greater all alone in a tiny little pond a couple of weeks ago. Yep. Preferences aren't requirements! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 Greater for me - rounded head (with no hint of a rear corner or vertical slope), large wide bill and the large white face patch (perhaps not definitive but I find it more on Greater). 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hasan Posted October 26 Share Posted October 26 Greater 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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