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Comparison of Greater and Lesser Scaup |
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Help with a challenging identification is here!
These remarkable pictures by Brian Currie offer a side-by-side
comparison of
a male Lesser and a male Greater Scaup. Note the rounder head of the Greater Scaup with the peak of the head being farther forward. The color of the head is greener in the Greater and more purple in the Lesser, although this is not a difference that can be relied upon. The sides and back of the greater are lighter and there's a larger black nail on the tip of the bill (not easy to see). The Lesser Scaup has a narrower, taller head and, as the name indicates, is smaller in size averaging 16.5 inches in length as opposed to 18 inches for the Greater Scaup. Photos by Brian Currie |
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Lower left: Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis Upper
right: Greater Scaup Aythya marila |
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Lower left: Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis Upper
right: Greater Scaup Aythya marila |
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