Aythya spp in Poland - Scaup/Tufted (1 Viewer)

dominic.patagonia

Well-known member

• Nov 28, 2017

• #1

Friend just sent me this from Poland. Having been out of the Western Palearctic so long i couldnt give him a 100% answer. Are the circled birds scaup among the tufties? Do young female tufties show this much white at the bill base? I thought they can but now I'm not sure....
Thanks!

 

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Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Nov 28, 2017

• #2

The bottom one of the four is a 'scaup-faced' Tufty, you can even see the tuft. Not sure on the others.

 

S

SteveClifton

Well-known member

• Nov 28, 2017

• #3

For me the lower middle and right birds are Tufted Ducks. The other two indeed look like strong candidates for Greater Scaup. Both have extensive white blazes and look bigger/more robustly built than the Tufted Ducks, with typically deep-based bills.

 

Last edited: Nov 28, 2017

dominic.patagonia

Well-known member

• Nov 29, 2017

• #4

Thanks both. i know from looking at tufted candidates here in NA there's variability in the plumage - eg extent of white blaze - but i see what you mean about the bill base. Interesting, thanks