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Subject:

Centennial Scaup reducks

From:

Fred Pierce

Reply-To:

Fred Pierce

Date:

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:08:41 -0500

Having received another email voting for Greater Scaup, I decided to
postpone breakfast and go photograph the beast. It was still moored near the
pavilion. Unfortunately the photos aren't too sharp, no doubt due to
condensation - I was to hungry to worry about it:

http://www.avialantic.com/nature/bird_photos/scaup

I'm flip-flopping back to favoring Greater, but still not sure. All the
Lessers I've seen have had the head crease quite pronounced whereas this one
only shows it sometimes. It was actively diving though, which Sibley shows
tends to flatten the head. The front view seems more like a Lesser to me. I
dunno.

I included the link that Phil sent me which shows the two together. Would
that they were always so cooperative.

As an aside, I think feedback on ID's should be posted to the group, since
we all tend to learn from these discussions, don't we? Although I'm pretty
casual in my birding, I do try to be conscientious in my postings, since
people use the info for various tabulations etc. and don't mind at all being
questioned.

Anyway, doesn't the greater/lesser stuff do damage to the Lessor's
self-esteem? Especially if it's referred to as "just a Lesser." I think a
less demeaning appellation is in order.

fdp


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Fred Pierce (DNRC)- avialantic.com
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