Diving ducks, NL, Canada (1 Viewer)

[cangoose]

Got this picture this afternoon. I id them as followed (from left to right):
1. female ring-necked duck
2. male lesser scaup
3. female (as it's intimate to the male) leucistic (or partially leucistic) lesser scaup
4. american coot
5. male ring-necked duck
6. american coot

The leucistic lesser scaup has been reported by other birders, so, it shouldn't be a problem. The ring-necked ducks, however, are new to me.
Thanks!:-O

 

[Reuven_M]

I agree

 

[stonechat1]

NL - Newfoundland?

 

[Microtus]

NL - Newfoundland?

NL = Newfoundland and Labrador, the official name of the province (changed a few years ago from Newfoundland).

 

[ntbirdman]

You are correct on the coots. The three non-leucistic diving ducks are all Ring-necked Ducks.

 

[Reuven_M]

Sorry, wasn't thinking, the both males are indeed ring-necked duck.

 

[DarkFireFalcon]

Could the "leucistic" bird be a Redhead?

 

[mrmanning]

Could the "leucistic" bird be a Redhead?

Could be. It doesn't seem to have the same head shape as the RNDU it is with.

 

[stonechat1]

NL = Newfoundland and Labrador, the official name of the province (changed a few years ago from Newfoundland).

Thanks! :t:

 

[Microtus]

Thanks! :t:

Sure thing.

 

[SteveClifton]

Struggling to see how the 2nd left bird isn't either a Tufted Duck, or at least a Tuftie/RND hybrid? I don't see a Male Lesser Scaup...

 

[OlaB]

It's a Ring-necked Steve.

 

[SteveClifton]

It's a Ring-necked Steve.

Because...?

Reasons why to my eyes it doesn't look like a RND:

• Head shape looks wrong; square-looking and lacking peaked rear crown
• Bill looks broad towards tip (just behind nail) which would be more tapered looking on RND. Compare with the other drake RND.
• No pale band at bill base. Band behind nail is narrower than the other drake's.
• Flank 'spur' apparently lacking, but hard to be absolutely sure from this angle.
• Dusky flanks are consistent with a Tuftie coming out of eclipse (or indeed a hybrid)

 

[cangoose]

Hi guys,
Here is another and the only one picture left. I deleted all the rest...:-C
I didn't bring my binos yesterday, but my eyes prefer a lesser scaup.
As for the leucistic, other birders got a shot before. http://www.flickr.com/photos/geneherz/8142141259/in/photostream/lightbox/
Thanks!:t:

 

[OlaB]

Because...?

Reasons why to my eyes it doesn't look like a RND:

• Head shape looks wrong; square-looking and lacking peaked rear crown
• Bill looks broad towards tip (just behind nail) which would be more tapered looking on RND. Compare with the other drake RND.
• No pale band at bill base. Band behind nail is narrower than the other drake's.
• Flank 'spur' apparently lacking, but hard to be absolutely sure from this angle.
• Dusky flanks are consistent with a Tuftie coming out of eclipse (or indeed a hybrid)

Sorry, sloppy look there. It does look suspicious. I don't think it is a tuftie but rather some hybrid then. Hm!

 

[SteveClifton]

In the link below there are a number of Tuftie hybrids with e.g. Scaup, RND and all show a range of diluted features of the other sp such as: (for RND) peaked rear crown (albeit with a tuft), curved flank patch, narrower & more pointed bill, bill bands at base and behind nail etc. The Scaup hybrids tend to show reduced black nail, grey vermiculations on mantle etc, none of which I can see here.

In addition the bird in question has a more curved line where the bill and face join (straigher in RND). If we are going to suggest hybrid then there should be some hybrid features visible, but personally I cannot see any. Granted, it shows a pale bill band but that in itself does not rule out pure Tuftie. Without better views of the tuft (or lack of) it's hard for sure to rule out a hybrid, but on the views available I would suggest a very likely pure Tufted.

http://www.surfbirds.com/gallery/search2.php

scroll to bottom of page, and on next page

Edit: link doesn't work but just search 'Tufted Duck' in the 'Britain & Europe Common Birds' gallery

 

[cangoose]

Sorry guys, at that time I didn't pay much attention on the bird No.2, and these two pics are everything I have now.
This morning, I did a little birding on my way to school. I counted over 30 divers in one pond. I was thinking: "Well, it is possible if they produce some hybrids."

 

[stevethehydra]

It might just be me/my monitor, but in the first photo the sheen of the left drake's head seems distinctly greenish, as opposed to the purplish head sheen of the RND at right... compare this RND x Tufted: http://www.flickr.com/groups/hybridbirds/discuss/72157602333539274/

 

[stevethehydra]

Although the Tufted x Lesser Scaup at bottom here is also very similar! (albeit without the white band on the bill) http://www.flickr.com/groups/hybridbirds/discuss/72157602560841287/