not a Scaup drake by RAINBIRDER

RAINBIRDER | all galleries >> SCOTTISH BIRDS >> Wildfowl (Ducks, Geese & Swans) >> Ducks >> Greater Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrid > not a Scaup drake

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not a Scaup drake

This bird was photographed on Kilconquhar Loch, Fife (a freshwater loch).
Initially this was the only image loaded on the gallery & I must admit I had identified the bird as a Drake Greater Scaup. However another birder raised reasonable doubts about this bird's ID (thanks John Nadin)>>>>>>>>>> sending me scurrying to the books! This bird's ID is discussed below & illustrated on the next few images.

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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RAINBIRDER		14-May-2008 09:18
I initially labelled this as a Greater Scaup drake but in fact it seems more likely that it is a Gt. Scaup x Tufted Duck hybrid. Note the vermiculations on the back are rather dark, smudged & poorly defined. The head does not have the typical well-rounded profile of a Greater Scaup & is slightly peaked at the crown (a feature typical of Lesser Scaup). This bird was associating with Tufted Duck but was clearly bigger ( Lesser Scaup would be obviously smaller).

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