Pochard and Common Scoter or not??!!??

ericsay · #1 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 06:08 PM

This photo has caused some argument amongst my friends. I think that the one on the left is a female Pochard and on the right is a female Common Scoter - but the latter is a not low in the water and why are they together? So is it or both hybrids of some sort - as many think??? We ahve both Ruddy Duck and White Headed Duck in the area.

Thanks.

KeenTeen17 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 06:11 PM

the beak and head look right for female pochard. I am not sure about the other one sorry

ChrisJB · #3 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 06:16 PM

Yep, t' other one is a female Common Scoter.

Regards, Chris

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 06:24 PM

Agree female Pochard + Common Scoter.

Not every day you see these 2 side by side as fomer is a freshwater bird, whereas latter more commonly seen on the sea, though occasionally turning up inland.

Gill Catton · #5 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericsay

This photo has caused some argument amongst my friends. I think that the one on the left is a female Pochard and on the right is a female Common Scoter - but the latter is a not low in the water and why are they together? So is it or both hybrids of some sort - as many think??? We ahve both Ruddy Duck and White Headed Duck in the area.

Thanks.

My thought is common scoter too....
Hang on a sec.... Ruddy duck and white headed duck? Where are you located?

Adam Cheeseman · #6 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericsay

This photo has caused some argument amongst my friends. I think that the one on the left is a female Pochard and on the right is a female Common Scoter - but the latter is a not low in the water and why are they together? So is it or both hybrids of some sort - as many think??? We ahve both Ruddy Duck and White Headed Duck in the area.

Thanks.

Female Pochard and female Common Scoter.

Cheers,

Adam

Tracey.A · #7 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 06:47 PM

I think female pochard and female common scoter. The pochard often swims low in the water and the common scoter is more buoyant.

Tracey

RobinP · #8 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 06:49 PM

The Ruddy Duck has more of a cap covering the eye than this bird, and it looks too big compared to the Pochard so I agree with Common Scoter.

ericsay · #9 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 07:02 AM

Thanks to everyone for the super quick response and for confirming my thoughts. And Gill has spotted the con - I am located in Preston, Lancs but this photo was taken at the mouth of the Guadhorce at Malaga - a super birdwatching site, I can give details if anyone is interested in a spot of birdwatching whilst waiting at the airport! So it is perhaps stretching Wild Britain a little but there are a lot of expats around.