Help with duck and goose ID please

[bob.phillips]

Went out yesterday with my new camera to try it out in the wintery conditions. Whilst walking around the lake I came across this bird and thought it was a Scaup - my first sighting ever. On returning home I see in the books that Tufted ducks can also have the white band around the base of the bill - so now I'm not too sure. Can someone help please

Also I took some pictures of geese in a field. The one with the white head was the one that I did not recognise, but also on closer examination some of the others don't look quite right either



Are they various cross breeds ?? Any views on these would also be much appreciated.

Regards,

Bob P.

[Dogghound]

The Duck is a Scaup, the geese are hybrids. Possibly Canada x greylag.

[htcdude]

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) is the duck

And a Canada Goose hybrid of some sort.

Nige

[htcdude]

Beat me to it again!


Nige

[bob.phillips]

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad it's confirmed as a Scaup.

Regards,

Bob

[RoyW]

I agree with Dogghound on the ID's.

Tufted Duck can show as much white around the base of the bill, but the head shape isn't as rounded (& usually with at least a small crest), the cheeks don't tend to show a paler patch, the scattered greyer feathering on the flanks/back (just about visible in this shot) is absent, and the bill has more extensive black at the tip.

[bob.phillips]

Roy,

Thanks for the detail. I sort of gathered some of the points you made from the various bird books that I have, but to the untrained eye ( ie me ) they are quite subtle. I guess it comes better with experience.

By the way, is my Scaup a male or female???

Thanks again,

Bob P.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by bob.phillips

By the way, is my Scaup a male or female???

I would say a 1st-winter of indeterminate sex...(but possibly an adult female with less extensive white around the bill base than some).

[Dogghound]

I think its a female, a 1st winter male would have a darker head, I would also expect it to have less white around the bill. Also but not always some grey/white on the flanks and scapulars.