Scoter ID Needed Scotland. (1 Viewer)

[Baldoon57]

Is the front bird a Velvet Scoter, birds were very distant in poor light, from Loch Ryan yesterday, any help appreciated.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I think both birds are Common Scoters. The left hand bird certainly is and the right hand bird is a similar size. Velvet would look notably bigger as well as having a different shape. The right hand bird looks a bit weird. The bill looks like a male Common Scoter though. My guess is that it's a young male. They can have rather patchy looking plumage at this time of year.

 

[Baldoon57]

I think both birds are Common Scoters. The left hand bird certainly is and the right hand bird is a similar size. Velvet would look notably bigger as well as having a different shape. The right hand bird looks a bit weird. The bill looks like a male Common Scoter though. My guess is that it's a young male. They can have rather patchy looking plumage at thwhiis time of year.

Thanks Andrew, at distance should I be looking for a white wing stripe instead of a

I think both birds are Common Scoters. The left hand bird certainly is and the right hand bird is a similar size. Velvet would look notably bigger as well as having a different shape. The right hand bird looks a bit weird. The bill looks like a male Common Scoter though. My guess is that it's a young male. They can have rather patchy looking plumage at this time of year.

Thanks Andrew, at distance should I be looking for a white Wing Stripe instead of the white mark on head

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Thanks Andrew, at distance should I be looking for a white wing stripe instead of a

Thanks Andrew, at distance should I be looking for a white Wing Stripe instead of the white mark on head

The areas of white are absolutely helpful but I tend to notice Velvets on the water as much because of their different size and shape to Common Scoters. They are almost closer to Eiders in those respects, whereas Common Scoter is a medium-sized, compact duck.

 

[Baldoon57]

The areas of white are absolutely helpful but I tend to notice Velvets on the water as much because of their different size and shape to Common Scoters. They are almost closer to Eiders in those respects, whereas Common Scoter is a medium-sized, compact duck.

Thanks Andrew,