RobinHood Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 Southern Ontario a few days ago. I had posted these birds as Greater, although I did hesitate a little at the time. I bumped into a fellow local birder today, far more knowledgeable than me. He said he had seen my post but was leaning to Lesser, partly for the barring, but mostly on experience. Shortly after thinking I had got the hang of Scaup a couple of years ago I realized I wasn't even close - some are straightforward, many not so much. Interested in opinions from those very experienced with the species. Tony L. is still missed. Thanks. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanager 101 Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 5 minutes ago, RobinHood said: very experienced ? (Jk) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 2 hours ago, Tanager 101 said: ? (Jk) Completely agree 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted October 5, 2022 Author Share Posted October 5, 2022 3 hours ago, Tanager 101 said: ? (Jk) Sorry, not sure what this means. I see Scaup almost daily throughout the winter but they still give me trouble. Saw a group today and two of them were problematic. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanager 101 Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 10 hours ago, RobinHood said: Sorry, not sure what this means. It means those of us who aren't very experienced are disappointed you don't want our opinion (Not really that's what the JK meant) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 Well, since no one else has replied giving ID, I would call these Greater based off of the eye placement. The nail looks to be flared as well, but the bill looks quite messy, and I only have experience with them in their winter plumage. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Tanager 101 said: It means those of us who aren't very experienced are disappointed you don't want our opinion (Not really that's what the JK meant) What's JK mean? Edited October 5, 2022 by Charlie Spencer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanager 101 Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 8 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: What's JK mean? Just kidding 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexHenry Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 My initial impression was Lesser but the “/“ option is a good one which I use liberally for scaups 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexHenry Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 I think the crowns are somewhat flattened and I don’t think bill nail shape can be used here given the plumages these birds are in. But I could be wrong and based on this one photo without getting a better feel for shape and posture may be better left unidentified 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 14 minutes ago, AlexHenry said: I think the crowns are somewhat flattened and I don’t think bill nail shape can be used here given the plumages these birds are in. But I could be wrong and based on this one photo without getting a better feel for shape and posture may be better left unidentified I agree that the bill can’t really be used here with how messy it is. but the head shape looks right on for Greater. To me, Greaters have large, deep heads, looking either blocky or smoothly rounded depending on posture, similar to a Mallard. Lessers have shallower head, and the eye is more centered on the face. They give me the impression of a Ring-necked Duck. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hasan Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 Lesser for me. I don't know which species is more expected but I would probably leave it at Lesser or a slash. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexHenry Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 33 minutes ago, Hasan said: Lesser for me. I don't know which species is more expected but I would probably leave it at Lesser or a slash. Okay glad to see this, I was starting to think I was going crazy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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