While out and about this morning at the lakes I managed to see several Tufted Ducks, but also one duck which I could not indentify for sure. The bird was very much smaller in size compared to a Mallard and had a distinctive white mark in front of the bill, and was totally different to the other Tufties around. Can someone please tell me if it is likely to be a Scaup or jsut another female Tuftie?
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UK: South Wales: Tufted Duck or Scaup (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Oggy
- Start date
Dougie Preston
I live for this S**T
Gives the size impression of a Tuftie, and there are a lot fem Tufties around with white above the bill!
I would also suggest that it is prob a wee bit early in the year for a Scaup, not imposable but unlikely.
I would also suggest that it is prob a wee bit early in the year for a Scaup, not imposable but unlikely.
I think it's a Tufted Duck too.
Ian Hamiltan
Well-known member
looks like a scaup to much white on the front and also looks to round headed.
Ian Hamiltan
Well-known member
can someone explain to me why everyone is so convinced this is a tuftie
rather than a scaup,iv never seen so much white on a tuftie before.
rather than a scaup,iv never seen so much white on a tuftie before.
midlandbirder
Well-known member
looks very round headed i think scaup
Reader
Well-known member
I have looked at these photos on another forum and I feel it is a Scaup. I can't see any hint of a crest on this bird and I also feel that it looks a bulkier looking bird. Tufties I always think look a more compact bird.
BTW there are Scaup being reported at the moment.
John
BTW there are Scaup being reported at the moment.
John
It has quite a lot of white around the bill (although probably not too much for TD). The lack of tuft suggests this is a juvenile - the head seems quite square to me too, which is better for TD. Although it's harder to judge, the head seems quite dark brown for a Scaup, even in summer plumage. Also, I'm not sure female or juvenile Scaup would show such white undertail coverts as this normally. These can be hard, especially when figuring out juveniles or breeding plumage females, but I don't get a Scaup feel from this.
Joern Lehmhus
Well-known member
I think it is a Tufted duck ;
I do not remember seing Greater Scaup with white undertail coverts, whereas this occurs frequently in tufted duck. Also, it looks relatively smallbilled and darkbacked.
The white at the base of the bill is still in range for tufted duck
So Tufted duck for me.
I do not remember seing Greater Scaup with white undertail coverts, whereas this occurs frequently in tufted duck. Also, it looks relatively smallbilled and darkbacked.
The white at the base of the bill is still in range for tufted duck
So Tufted duck for me.
