Greater or lesser scaup? (1 Viewer)

[orientaldkf]

Hi all, both birds were taken in november, first bird was taken along a relatively sheltered coastal area in California while the second was taken in an inland marsh in Indiana. Am guessing Greater for the first and Lesser for the second but not quite sure as the birds are quite far away.

Photos are not too great but would be thankful for any help!

 

[Nutcracker]

Agree on Greater for the first; the second I'd leave as unidentifiable (tho' Lesser is statistically more likely in that habitat).

 

[Mike Earp]

Agree on Greater for the first; the second I'd leave as unidentifiable (tho' Lesser is statistically more likely in that habitat).

Can Redhead be ruled out for the second?

 

[D Halas]

Agree with Greater for the first bird. The second one looks to me most like a female Canvasback, based on the shape of the bill and the profile of the head.

 

[rkj]

For the second bird it is hard to be sure of anything from this photo, but I incline toward Redhead. The profile seems to me better for Redhead than Canvasback, and I think a Canvasback would have (as the name implies) a paler back.

 

[Birdbrain22]

The second bird is either a female Redhead or Ring-necked for me... can't be sure which though from just that photo. Canvasback does not show the dark back of the pictured bird.