Hi all, Having seen a hybrid Tufted x scaup on this very pond, we studied this bird quite closely.
My impression was that all features appeared consistent with Tufted Duck, and none seemed indicative of either scaup species. In particular, the bird was distinctly small--no larger larger than adjacent Lesser Scaup, and obviously smaller than an adjacent Greater Scaup. The rounded head shape seemed right for Tufted and wrong fro Lesser (and especially Ring-necked). The bill pattern looked good for Tufted to me. The shape of the pale flanks appeared good for Tufted Duck, and the dark back, although not black, was not finely vermiculated, as in Tufted x scaup hybrids I've seen. The white undertail is, I gather, a Tufted feature; not sure of its prevalence among scaup. Finally, the tuft seemed longer than on hybrids I've seen, but I'm not familiar enough with Tufted plumages to say whether this is an immature or an eclipse male. I dumped a bunch of poor photos at the end of this album, and would appreciate feedback from those more familiar than I with these birds: https://picasaweb.google.com/109808209543611018404/LongIslandMiscellany2015 Shai Mitra Bay Shore ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] on behalf of Michael Zito [[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2015 5:59 PM To: Jonathan Stocker Cc: NYSBIRDS-L-for Posts Posts Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Tufted Duck, Lake Capri, West Islip Any word on if this guy is a hybrid of not? ________________________________ Sixth Annual Celestial Ball Honors Community Leaders and Raises Funds for the College’s Greatest Needs. Join Us!<http://www.csi.cuny.edu/celestialball/> -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
