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Scaup ID ?
- To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
- Subject: Scaup ID ?
- From: steven.shultz@us.pwcglobal.com
- Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1999 08:29:34 -0500
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
I made it out to Briar Creek Res. yesterday to look for the Greater Scaup
reported over the weekend. The only scaup on the lake were a group of 4
with a group of 6 Ring-necks in the main portion of the lake. I was able
to use the car as a blind and scope the birds from a very close distance.
After some observation I left with a vague feeling regarding the species I
had seen. The birds were obviously scaup, but the plumage on the heads
came to a noticeable peak just behind the eye. When the birds prepared to
dive this peak disappeared and the overall shape of the head appeared more
rounded (like a redhead or mallard). The heads showed no hint of color
(green or violet), generally looking black. The bills were of a similar
length and width to the adjacent Ring-necks. The flanks of the birds
varied from a clean white (1 bird) to a slightly grey white (2 birds) to a
dusky white (1 bird). The upperparts appeared grey with some lighter
patches. The birds spent most of the time feeding on what appeared to be
mussels.
I figure one of a couple of things happened:
1) The Greaters left and were replaced with Lessers
2) These were the Greaters and I just could not find a field mark to nail
the ID (due to my inexperience)
3) These were a mixture of Greaters and Lessers
Can anyone who has observed these birds, (or both Scaup in general, but
these birds seemed a bit more difficult than usual to separate), let me
know if you saw a greenish gloss on the heads or if the Greaters you
observed appeared to have a peak on their heads at any point during your
observation?
Thanks in advance!
Steve Shultz
Cary, NC
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