Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2000 20:18:36 -0800 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Greg Miller Subject: possible Tufted Duck at Pax River MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Howdy All! Well...this might have gotten a little more attention were there not a Tufted Duck already in the area. :-) I helped out with this morning's (2/9/00) Pax River waterfowl survey and toward the end of our route, I found what I believe to be a possible *female* Tufted Duck (Goose Bay near the campground). I report "possible" because I want to have another look at the bird. It is missing a couple important features: a) there is no visible tuft, but the crown feathers are ruffled giving it an unkempt appearance and b) the bill seems broad like a scaup and the tip of the bill has a very small amount of black (also much like a scaup). But it does have a several very good features: a) very dark back (blackish brown) contrasting with brown sides; b) dark chocolate head; c) a few white freckles up near the bill; d) solid color flanks (no barring); e) sat lower in the water than the Lesser Scaup it was with (1 male and 2 females) and appeared sleeker with slender more erect [or alert] posture and thinner neck (I initially thought it was a female Ring-necked Duck before looking at it more closely). Additionally, the chest was darker than the sides, but lighter than the head and neck. Ditto on bird's tail end. Oh, and the bill was light bluish gray. Eye is golden yellow with a dark pupil. All I had with me today was Natl Geo 3rd ed. Tonight I was able to look at Lars Johnson's Birds of Europe, the Waterfowl of the world book, and the Birding article on Tufted Ducks from a year or two ago. Additionally, I searched the internet for some photos and information as well. At best, the bird is a Tufted Duck. At worst, it is a hybrid Tufted Duck x scaup. After looking at the information tonight, I am going to try to refind the bird tomorrow (2/10) and get some photos. I am only posting this following my philosophy it's more important to report a possible rarity and give others a chance to see it as opposed to positively identifying a rarity that is gone before folks find out about it. This is on the Pax River Naval Air Station property and you will need to call Kyle Rambo (301-826-3670) to get permission to bird the Base. While I work there, I cannot give anyone else permission to enter the Base. Sorry. (Kyle, you're volunteered! ) -Greg Miller Hollywood, MD __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================