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littletiff99 · Tuesday 6th March 2012, 22:44

I saw these birds at different times at Bolsa Chica Ecologicl Reserve in Southern California. Both were at winter time. I am having a lot of difficulties discerning between lesser and greater scaups. My guess is my first picture might possibly be a greater while my second two pictures might be lesser. Anybody have any ideas?

Ronayne88 · Tuesday 6th March 2012, 22:50

I would be happy with this verdict. The first bird has a more round headed appearance with a green sheen. The others show the typical peaked crown with a purple sheen.

Reuven_M · Tuesday 6th March 2012, 23:31

Agree

fugl · Tuesday 6th March 2012, 23:45

Me too

spacepilot · Wednesday 7th March 2012, 14:36

Me three.

Sy V · Wednesday 7th March 2012, 15:21

Lessers are rare birds this side of the pond. But, I agree with you guys, there are nape bumps on the second and third photos, this along with the black tipped bill, the slightly heavier back markings and greyer flanks steer me towards Lessers. The first shot epitomises the Scaup (Greater).

Tuesday 6th March 2012, 22:44	#1
littletiff99 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 562	Lesser Scaup / Greater Scaup ? I saw these birds at different times at Bolsa Chica Ecologicl Reserve in Southern California. Both were at winter time. I am having a lot of difficulties discerning between lesser and greater scaups. My guess is my first picture might possibly be a greater while my second two pictures might be lesser. Anybody have any ideas? Attached Thumbnails

Tuesday 6th March 2012, 23:45	#4
fugl Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 7,773 My location	Me too __________________ Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fugl/ ". . .Let them be left, O let them be left, wildness and wet; Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet." --Gerard Manley Hopkins
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Wednesday 7th March 2012, 15:21	#6
Sy V Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: 52.3716 Deg N, 002.0439 Deg W Posts: 4,312 Blog Entries: 86 My location	Lessers are rare birds this side of the pond. But, I agree with you guys, there are nape bumps on the second and third photos, this along with the black tipped bill, the slightly heavier back markings and greyer flanks steer me towards Lessers. The first shot epitomises the Scaup (Greater). __________________ Simon My Gallery - Regularly Updated
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Tuesday 6th March 2012, 22:50	#2
Ronayne88 Seán Ronayne Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cobh, Co.Cork, Ireland Posts: 673	I would be happy with this verdict. The first bird has a more round headed appearance with a green sheen. The others show the typical peaked crown with a purple sheen.

Tuesday 6th March 2012, 23:31	#3
Reuven_M Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Guelph, Ontario Posts: 1,299	Agree

Wednesday 7th March 2012, 14:36	#5
spacepilot Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 692	Me three.

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