Scaup, female - Greater or Lesser. (1 Viewer)

[MTem]

The photo in the link below was posted in the Gallery here

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/547178

It was taken by the OP at Slimbridge WWT, UK from one of their hides in Dec 15 and listed in the hide log as a Greater Scaup.
It seems to me to have most (all) of the characters of a Lesser - slight tuft at rear of head, very plain blue-grey bill with very small black nib, grey marked back etc. but I have only seen Lessers a few times when I lived in the US, and a long time ago! Clearly judging size here is impossible.

Can we have a more experienced view please?
Given the location I doubt it can be claimed as a record though .....
I have the OP's permission.
Thanks, Mick

 

[birdmeister]

Well, it does seem to have the features you pointed out for Lesser. Are there any pictures of it in flight?

I agree that the range makes it very improbable for Lesser, but it is intriguing.

 

[MTem]

No other pictures that I have access to.

I should say perhaps that Slimbridge WWT also has a large international waterfowl collection, and this I'm certain will include Lesser Scaup, so an escape to the 'wild' area of the reserve, where I understand this photo was taken, is certainly possible. This bird I doubt would be considered for a genuine vagrant, so it is really just to establish it's ID now.

When I first saw the photo the location wasn't known - hence my interest.

 

[tom baxter]

the angle at which the forehead transitions to the bill looks OK for lesser scaup to me, along with the other points you mentioned. If I saw that bird in the US I would call it a lesser.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

the angle at which the forehead transitions to the bill looks OK for lesser scaup to me, along with the other points you mentioned. If I saw that bird in the US I would call it a lesser.

So would I.

 

[phil baber]

Would tend to agree on female-type Lesser Scaup. All the features are there, and the "nail" on the bill-tip is perfect for this species. I've seen a few wild ones in UK. Last one I saw was a female on South Lake, Slimbridge a couple of years ago. There have been 2 1stW female Greater Scaups around. But have not heard of an LS? A wild one, recently?

 

[TLeukering]

Would tend to agree on female-type Lesser Scaup. All the features are there, and the "nail" on the bill-tip is perfect for this species. I've seen a few wild ones in UK. Last one I saw was a female on South Lake, Slimbridge a couple of years ago. There have been 2 1stW female Greater Scaups around. But have not heard of an LS? A wild one, recently?

This is an immature (note eye color) male, as evidenced by the incoming dark on the head and the incoming black-and-white barred feathers on upperparts and sides.

 

[jogresh]

Nah that's some kind of weird hybrid back cross combo. IMHO.