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Greater or Lesser Scaup?

Discussion

5 replies
Posted by Philip Hodgkins on January 13, 2012 at 3:39 PM
Greater or Lesser Scaup?
I can't make up my mind. First time I have seen one. :confused:
Posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 13, 2012 at 8:09 PM
I would say Lesser, but it can be tough to tell them apart. Was this bird in fresh or salt water?
Posted by Jim DeWitt on January 13, 2012 at 9:50 PM
Probably a Lesser, Phil. It's got the rounder head, the sharper point on the back of the head and the faint white crescent behind the eye. Ron's question is pertinent: Lessers greatly outnumber Greaters on fresh water. It's particularly tough to ID them when they have been diving, as this bird obviously has.
Posted by Philip Hodgkins on January 14, 2012 at 3:45 AM
Fresh water—the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, in SC just across the Savannah River.
Posted by Myer Bornstein on January 14, 2012 at 5:23 AM
It has=th slight bump on the back of the head -Lesser
Posted by Doug Backlund on January 14, 2012 at 8:35 AM
I'd say lesser too, head shape as already mentioned, and greater scaup has a broader thicker bill with a larger "nail" on the tip. Some great comparison photos can be seen at: http://www.utahbirds.org/featarts/Scaup.htm