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Duck from Poland (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter staskanji
- Start date
I'll pass over the species - but why juvenile?
Alexander Stöhr
Well-known member
Hello,
thats a good question, Butty. After looking at these pictures, I agreed with Questin, it looked like a 1 cy Greater Scaup, and I agreed.
I still think, it looks better for a young bird than adult bird by
all: Bergenten 08.01.22 (Wusterwitzer See, NE-Germany, 08.01.2022)
But I think species ID is beyond doubt for me (ruling out Lesser Scaup by location) with
thats a good question, Butty. After looking at these pictures, I agreed with Questin, it looked like a 1 cy Greater Scaup, and I agreed.
I still think, it looks better for a young bird than adult bird by
- quite uniform, drab looking body. The one, that could be overlooked the most easily among a flock Tufted Ducks. Some adult female have a pleasent (attractive) colouration and some vermiculations, that attract attention to them in a flock of Tufted Ducks. Yes, this is so variable, that it might well be avoided altogether for ageing a Scaup.
- in some Greater Scaups the shape of the whitish blaze has a oval shape like this (and is smaller and tinged buffish/cream/yellowish), in others it is more a ring broader and whiter. This always reminded me of the illustrations in The Macmillan Field Guide to Bird Identification by the late Laurel Tucker. I have learned much from these (who hasnt?). And I think, this bird can be placed in the juvenile group, but again, I am not sure how reliable this. I hope someone can write more about this. Thanks!
- When I first saw the pictures, I thought, the eye can be judged as dark, as the eye seems to be visible here? (Right or wrong?). But after the helpfull comment from Jörn in the other thread, I am not so sure anymore. But please note, that the yellow eye of a Greater Scaup can be seen in even the worst possible picture you can imagine (as you all know, I have super-powers in producing them):
all: Bergenten 08.01.22 (Wusterwitzer See, NE-Germany, 08.01.2022)
But I think species ID is beyond doubt for me (ruling out Lesser Scaup by location) with
- Donald Duck-bill
- neat, rounded head
- shape of the white blaze around the bill
- just imaginable pale ear-covert spot in a good, "broad banana"-shape
kahraba
Quentin
Thank you Butty and Alexander for your replies, especially Alexander for - once again - taking the time for thorough and precise argumentation !
To me this bird looked like a straight-out-of-the-book juvenile greater Scaup according to the first two points that you mentioned. I regret not having had or taken the time to suport my juv. statement and I admit is was a tad provocative or could be taken as such.
Of course there remains doubt regarding age/sex, hence Butty's reaction - but there are reasonable clues pointing towards a juvenile rather than a female bird, let alone any doubt about the species.
To me this bird looked like a straight-out-of-the-book juvenile greater Scaup according to the first two points that you mentioned. I regret not having had or taken the time to suport my juv. statement and I admit is was a tad provocative or could be taken as such.
Of course there remains doubt regarding age/sex, hence Butty's reaction - but there are reasonable clues pointing towards a juvenile rather than a female bird, let alone any doubt about the species.
Joern Lehmhus
Well-known member
Again, I would like to see better pictures- but as said by others there is nothing in the photos speaking clearly against juv. plumaged greater scaup.
Joern Lehmhus
Well-known member
But beware, sometimes hybrids Tufted duck x Common pochard can surprise you (and a blurry photo doesn´t make that easier)
Alexander Stöhr
Well-known member
Hello Jörn,
thank you for your interesting and helpful comments.
Do you think, the shape of the bill cant be judged with comfidence from the two pictures? I have surely squeezed to much out pictures here, and here once more?
As said, the bill-shape seemed to have the classic ID-book shape of a Scaup (broadening towards the tip, reminiscent of Donald Duck). The main reason for my confidence, this is indeed a Scaup.
But you are of course right, that you have to be cautious with unsharp/blurry pictures. Or can a Tufted duck x Common pochard show this (or a very similar) Donald Duck bill, too?
Edit: or do you posted the hybrid just for future reference? As you know I learned much from your reference threads.
I wasnt aware of Tufted duck x Common pochard as a potential pitfall when identifying Scaups, but I was alerted by some threads here of this problem:
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thank you for your interesting and helpful comments.
Do you think, the shape of the bill cant be judged with comfidence from the two pictures? I have surely squeezed to much out pictures here, and here once more?
As said, the bill-shape seemed to have the classic ID-book shape of a Scaup (broadening towards the tip, reminiscent of Donald Duck). The main reason for my confidence, this is indeed a Scaup.
But you are of course right, that you have to be cautious with unsharp/blurry pictures. Or can a Tufted duck x Common pochard show this (or a very similar) Donald Duck bill, too?
Edit: or do you posted the hybrid just for future reference? As you know I learned much from your reference threads.
I wasnt aware of Tufted duck x Common pochard as a potential pitfall when identifying Scaups, but I was alerted by some threads here of this problem:
Tufted duck hybrid (Nov 15, 2020, Netherlands)
Last sunday (Nov 15, 2020) I saw this Tufted duck female in the Twiske (lake near Amsterdam). It caught my eye because of its heavy build. It was much more stocky than the many other Tufted Ducks in the vicinity. Also it was swimming solo across the lake, whereas other Tufted Ducks were...
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Duck, Cyprus 21st November 2020 - help with ID please
The following was seen at Bishop's Pool on Cyprus on 21st November. We are looking for help with ID please. Scaup has been suggested - seven previous records here. Tufted is a scarce winter visitor. One photo shows size in relation to Ferruginous Duck and the other in relation to Common Teal.
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Hybrid Aythya female, Braunschweig, Germany, March 2020
see a drawing here what do you think?
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Greater Scaup or Tufted duck? (France)
Just taken this picture today in western France. To me the shape of the head looks like a Scaup, but maybe the white patch around the bill isn't large enough? Thanks for your thoughts
www.birdforum.net
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