Scaup x Ferruginous ? (1 Viewer)

[KenM]

Found today at Connaught Waters NEast London, that well known repository for “odd” ducks.
Moi not being a webbed foot wonder spotter, am wondering if this combo, is the best that one might call for this individual?

Am aware the images are less than perfect, being at c100m+ in the rain and gloom they’re the best that I could muster.

Cheers

 

[johnallcock]

Am I missing something? Why isn't it a female Tufted Duck?

 

[KenM]

Am I missing something? Why isn't it a female Tufted Duck?

Yes, it may explain why I failed my female Duck test many years ago.🤣
Although it didn’t look like the other female Tufteds that were in the area.
In the field so to speak, it appeared to show a green tint to the head and the body flank colour seemed to match Ferruginous, clearly back to the “floaters” drawing board for moi.😮

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Ken,

(agree with you, John Allcock and all, its a pure Tufted Duck)

I think the reason why it looks so strange (for me too) might well be, that its a (possible) 1st winter male.
Male features are the clear/pure blueish tinge to the bill with only a small black tip (?) and the entire lack of a darker area/smudge on the upper mandible and the very blackish, contrasting head (if contrasting, still brown in (all?) females).

I dont think, its an unseasonal eclipse male (?), as many of them have paler, sometimes whitish flanks, ghosting a male (that makes them regular easy to sex against more uniform brown females in summer).

But I dont know, if an older /intersex female look like this?
Interesting bird, tfs! And I hope for more comments. Thanks!