Hi Fred, et al.

Here's the BNA Online account of the nails on Scaup bills ...

"Relative size and shape of black nail at bill tip reliable means of 
separating scaup species: Nail of Greater oblong oval in shape and 
greater than or equal to 7.0 mm wide at distal tip of bill, and black 
of nail often extends onto end of bill itself; nail of Lesser 
narrower and more elongate (long oval or elliptical ovate) with nail 
less than or equal to 6.5 mm wide (BK). Distinctive when bird in 
hand, but also useful under ideal field conditions."

Hope this helps ...

Phil


At 15:08 01/13/2008, Fred Pierce wrote:
>Yes - that's the front view to which I referred. If I'd only seen that, I'd
>have said Lesser and been done with it. The others though...
>
>You're the second person to mention the "H" word. One suggested I declare it
>a new species, the Pierce Scaup, but I don't feel like doing the paperwork.
>Otherwise the polls are running heavily in favor of Greater, but I agree the
>bird seems confused.
>
>Glad I went back for a photo - this is interesting.

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Phil Davis      Davidsonville, Maryland     USA
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