Greater Scaup (1 Viewer)

[L'argonnais]

Hello,

three big crops !!!!!

bird seen on January 31, in a small lake 30 km far from Paris (east) ; I thought at that species when I saw it ; but , the bird was not exacly similar to the pictures we can see on the internet. And today, a birder has seen a Greater Scaup on this lake ; I wonder if "mine" is one or not ; any idea???

Thanks !
JR

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

yes you can trust your identification from the field: its a Greater Scaup for me too.
Its a 1st winter male, you can see the paler grey newly moulted feathers on the back appearing, hence the untidy patchy look.
Appart from that your last picture shows a natural looking impression of the difference in body and bill shape and jizz to the male Tufted Duck.

 

[L'argonnais]

Thanks Alexander for that confirmation.
In fact, the bird has also been seen by others birders , and it's a greater scaup for everybody.
Thanks again,
Best regards,
JR