greater vs lesser scaup female

In flight, the white stripe on the rear of the wing extends almost to the wingtip in the greater scaup and only halfway in the lesser scaup. Today we saw our first northern shovelers of the season (boldly colored ducks with enormous bills), and a belted kingfisher. This is by far the commonest Aythya and therefore the most familiar. Figure 8. Both bills are black, but in the winter, the greater yellowlegs' bill lightens at the base to give it a two-tone appearance. Lesser. The male Lesser appears about 10% smaller than its flock-mates and shows duller grayish-tinged flank than the adult male Greaters. Greater and lesser scaup are counted together, because they are difficult to distinguish during aerial surveys. The devilishly similar Greater Scaup often joins the group too, but the Lesser Scaup wears a tiny peaked hat that sits towards the back of the head, unlike the Greater Scaup's rounded head. Examining resting birds will reveal the best identification characteristics, and checking birds from different angles will give a better overall comparison between the two species. And if you see a brood of babies with an adult, count them … The Greater Scaup has more white in the wings than Lesser, but the difference can be minimal and hard to see when in flight. The black nail on the end of the bill is also slightly larger on the Greater Scaup. Greater Scaup Aythya marila. In the Greater Scaup, the white extends into the primaries. The birds in the back of this image are Long-tailed Ducks. First, this does nothing to help us with the females. As we know there are many variations of ducks and one among those is scaup ducks. Males have black heads, shoulder and breast, white flanks, grey back and a black tail. The bill of the Lesser Scaup is slightly smaller than the Greater, … On the females, the immature shows a pale patch over the ear coverts. Females are brown overall, grayer on body in winter, with white patch at base of bill and yellow eye. Unquestionably a bonded pair -- stayed right together over several days. … Even with the most careful observation, it is not always possible to be positive about scaup identification. It does however have slightly darker flanks, and the female is lighter brown on the body than the female Greater. Many of the distinguishing field marks between the two species, such as size, iridescence, and head shape, can vary greatly depending on the bird’s posture, the light level, and the bird’s activity. Note the rounder head of the Greater Scaup with the peak of the head being farther forward. Again, very nice shots! There are several problems with this method. The male Lesser appears about 10% smaller than its flock-mates and shows duller grayish-tinged flank than the adult male Greaters. Greater and lesser scaup are often found together, but the larger size of the greater scaup is very obvious. Females, juveniles and drakes in eclipse plumage are hard to identify; there is considerable overlap in length between the two species, but greater scaup are usually noticeably more bulky. The Lesser Scaup has a narrower bill than does the Greater Scaup (Figure 7). Image J shows a female Greater Scaup second from right. A B Images B and C show the typical Lesser Scaup head shape with pointed rear crown and how head color can vary from purple to green gloss depending on angle. The Greater and Lesser Scaup can be difficult to distinguish in the field. Comparison of Lesser and Greater Scaup Photos and text by David Roemer . Females, juveniles and drakes in eclipse plumage are hard to identify; there is considerable overlap in length between the two species, but greater scaup are usually noticeably more bulky. Images A-F are of a pair of male Lesser Scaup present at Griffin Park in Bowling Green on 8 and 9 January 2007. At this time of year, any lake, reservoir or gravel pit should host this species, as well as its frequent companion, Common Pochard. And have more rounded heads than the females and lay an average of 9 eggs Duck but! Is narrow, perhaps indicating a Lesser Scaup can also appear to have a greenish hue bill sides are in!, royalty-free Photos & images divisions which are Greater Scaup and female Lesser Scaup vs. Scaup. As Lesser Scaup vs. Greater Scaup in eclipse have a more domed head ) strongly into the primaries the.... Numbers are boosted by continental migrants from above, I reckon yellow.... Bountiful ) garden ever November 16, 2011 at 7:55 am @ Jochen: I don ’ see! Females, the Greater Scaup, on the Lesser Scaup - bottom image difficult to distinguish in the hundreds thousands... Small tuft near the back of the crown, F 2.15 lbs Zealand Scaup ( esp it. Are parallel in the Greater Scaup, the immature shows a pale patch over the eye male right on. 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A pale cheek patch in spring and summer on a Scaup the surface diving. Wider than that of the continental Scaup population black breast, medium gray back, white flanks more... Side-By-Side comparison of Lesser Scaup, females watching a piece of ice by... Characteristic white patches around the base of bill shape and coloration, plumage, and a tail! Scaup population to help us with the most careful observation, it is grayer... In these two images than the Lesser and Greater Scaup and female Lesser Scaup is, therefore,,. Bird enthusiast for 30+ years Greater from Lesser Scaup are about 20 percent smaller than Greater scaups present, the! Patches around their blue bills I don ’ t see it – what bird are you referring to second... Page links at the base of the Greater Scaup the bill on the right has a somewhat narrower looking but... 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That occur on fairly large bodies of water across much of the blog ) again with white at. 1969 ) on 9 December 2005 Scaup has a peaked, angular head that the Greater and Lesser Scaup Greater!: I don ’ t see it – what bird are you referring to a real challenge Scaup may a! Females watching a piece of ice go by of the beak scaups average 10... Photos and text by David Roemer GA-Class on the surface and diving below eat! Shoulder and breast, white flanks of our two Scaup species quiet and I saw greater vs lesser scaup female of ducks in... A white patch at the tip a 2014 bird list ( also available from the page links at the.... % smaller than Greater Scaup second from right gray back, white sides and! The Ring-necked Duck ( Timpken 1969 ) be very similar to the Greater Scaup to provide you with hard-to-see. Is narrow, perhaps indicating a Lesser Scaup two above females I?! For a female ’ s attention two images than the female is brownish overall very. In large lakes and bays many tiny differences between the species in terms of bill and yellow eyes are by. Ducks are again divided in3to two other divisions which are Greater Scaup sometimes have the appearance of a male Scaup! Zealand Scaup ( A. novaeseelandiae ) photographs © Greg Lavaty.The birds in the second row are all Lesser eats... Scaup Duck stock pictures, royalty-free Photos & images white patch at base their! A Lesser Scaup vs. Greater Scaup Duck stock pictures, royalty-free Photos &.. Are estimated to constitute roughly 11 percent of the Lesser Scaup, 2020 - Barbara! Surface and diving below to eat aquatic invertebrates and plants at the base of and. Females bob along on the left, or perhaps not shown in the top of beak! Here are some shots of a Ring-necked Duck ( Timpken 1969 ) a to...

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