bird i.d. (not tufted duck?)

jay2 · #1 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 06:37 PM

Yesterday walking around Limehouse (London) canal/riverside walk, I saw 2 ducks, at first glance I passed them off as female Tufted Ducks, but quickly looked again. They had clear white at base of bill, angular heads, and when tail was up, appeared to have white under. Are they female Scaup or hybrids of something? Is this area known for these?
Hope someone can help.Thanks, sorry there are no photos!
jay2

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 06:50 PM

Impossible to give a definitive ID without a photo. Tufted Ducks are a common widespread bird throughout the year around London + some females do show a white blaze as you described.

Scaup are an uncommon visitor- normally in the winter around London + there haven't been any recent reports. Aythya hybrids are among the more frequent avian hybrids, so always a possibility, but we'd need a photo to say that.