Mark F Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 Hi all, and Happy New Year, This seems to be a Goldeneye of some kind. We certainly have then around the SF Bay area at this time. But I'm quite confused by the pattern of the white patch on the lower forehead, above the bill. It doesn't fit anything I see online. Could it be an immature male Common Goldeneye? Goldeneye by Mark Featherstone, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark F Posted January 2, 2019 Author Share Posted January 2, 2019 (edited) PS: I'm also confused by the blue bill which makes me think of Ruddy Duck. Edited January 2, 2019 by Mark F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 (edited) Looks like a female Scaup to me. The white patch, the bluish bill, the sides paler than the back, the back more dark gray than the brownish breast and fanny. If I had to guess, I'd say Greater. The head looks more rounder than peaked, and Greaters are more inclined to larger bodies of salt water. Definitely wait for someone with more Scaup experience to make that call. Edited January 3, 2019 by Charlie Spencer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark F Posted January 3, 2019 Author Share Posted January 3, 2019 Ah, I see now. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 I’m seeing Lesser here. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meghann Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 I'm in the lesser camp, as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 8 hours ago, blackburnian said: I’m seeing Lesser here. 7 hours ago, meghann said: I'm in the lesser camp, as well. That's certainly not a problem, but would either of you elaborate? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeBirds Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 I would agree with lesser, due to the capped look on the head, the back of the head looks flat, Greater's have a rounded appearance on the head. Female because of the white beside the bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 (edited) I despair of every discerning the difference in Scaup head shapes. That head looks as round to me as if it had been drawn with a compass. Edited January 3, 2019 by Charlie Spencer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinHood Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 (edited) it seems to vary from being quite clear to being very subtle like this one. If you carefully follow the neck line from it's back, when it starts to curve there is a slight vertical change of direction. Best I can do for an explanation. Nice image. Edited January 3, 2019 by RobinHood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 2 minutes ago, RobinHood said: it seems to vary from being quite clear to being very subtle like this one. If you carefully follow the neck line from it's back, when it starts to curve there is a slight vertical change of direction. Best I can do for an explanation. Nice image. Thanks, if only for the sympathetic ear. Actually, I'm pretty satisfied everyone agrees it's a Scaup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Friedman Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Neither Lesser nor Greater Scaups' heads look round to me. This bird's head is tall, going well above the eye, but not long front to back, and she has a slight indentation at the upper part of her nape, which make me think Lesser. But I'm often wrong about scaups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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