Douglas County, Kansas, USA - Duck (1 Viewer)

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Owen Krout

Well-known member

• Apr 9, 2019

• #1

One more from the Baker Wetlands at Lawrence, Kansas, USA - Douglas County.

An odd duck I can't seem to match up with the field guides. Black head and tail with solid white in between. Light colored bill.

 

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F

fugl

Well-known member

• Apr 9, 2019

• #2

One of the scaups, probably Lesser judging from the shape of the head.

 

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aeshna5

Well-known member

• Apr 9, 2019

• #3

I'd also go for Lesser Scaup due in part to head shape. Also looks less "broad beamed".

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Apr 9, 2019

• #4

I also think that it is a Lesser Scaup.

 

O

Owen Krout

Well-known member

• Apr 9, 2019

• #5

Thanks, Lesser Scaup was the closest I could get. The pure white just didn't match well with the field guides and it's new to me, so wasn't sure about how much variation to expect.

 

nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

• Apr 9, 2019

• #6

The flanks are almost never pure white, but they can look that way at a distance or in strong light. The angle of the sun and how much they fluff their feathers can make a difference. There's individual and seasonal variation too.

One of the differences between greater and lesser scaup is that (male) greater scaup has whiter flanks, but in photos it's really not reliable unless you can count the bird's feathers.