Fulmar
Well-known member
Yesterday (Feb.26) I saw this duck in the Eijsderbeemden near Maastricht in the Netherlands. Using the Mullarney et al guide I concluded that the best bet is Greater Scaup. But not being familiar with that species (I never saw one before), I also looked at the Greater Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrid in the Mullarney. As the bird was quite distant when I took my pictures I went back today to see if it was still there and if I could get closer pictures. It was indeed present but now on the opposite side of the water, so impossible to photograph. :C
Today it was with a small group of Tufted Ducks and Common Pochards, and there were no other Greater Scaups.
She has definitely no tuft (no hint of it even while bending over while preening), a lot of white on the face, and the light moon in the ear area, which is all good for Greater Scaup. However, she looks a bit dark to me, and also the apparently larger black tip of the beak and the white behind it hint at some Tufted Duck lineage?
What do you think?
Peter
Today it was with a small group of Tufted Ducks and Common Pochards, and there were no other Greater Scaups.
She has definitely no tuft (no hint of it even while bending over while preening), a lot of white on the face, and the light moon in the ear area, which is all good for Greater Scaup. However, she looks a bit dark to me, and also the apparently larger black tip of the beak and the white behind it hint at some Tufted Duck lineage?
What do you think?
Peter