20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03
See Sightings Archive for older records
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Christmas Quacker.
Having just found these, taken at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas on 31st July 2019 and thereafter forgotten, I hope they may generate some post-Xmas-prandial debate as to identity!
My post-xmas ideas for your duck. Could it not be a warm-toned female tufted? my reasons are: It has a steep forehead and flat crown.( different from Ferruginous which is peaked, Scaup more rounded) I cannot see a tuft but that could be flattened or moulted ( it is July and they apparently moult their tufts twice a year). The iris is yellow (female Ferruginous is brown). The back is darker than the flanks (albeit quite rufous) and the flanks appear to have the mottling. I cannot see any sign of white undertail coverts. The wing bar although white does not appear as bright as on Ferruginous and does not fully extend to the outer primaries ( from what I can see). My one problem is that I cannot see any black at the tip of the beak which would be ok for the juvenile but juveniles do not have a bright yellow iris. So is it a Tufted or a hybrid?
I agree with Michele, but a warm Tufted sounds quite endearing! It certainly lacked any white on the undertail, but I'm pleased it provoked discussion.
My post-xmas ideas for your duck. Could it not be a warm-toned female tufted? my reasons are: It has a steep forehead and flat crown.( different from Ferruginous which is peaked, Scaup more rounded) I cannot see a tuft but that could be flattened or moulted ( it is July and they apparently moult their tufts twice a year). The iris is yellow (female Ferruginous is brown). The back is darker than the flanks (albeit quite rufous) and the flanks appear to have the mottling. I cannot see any sign of white undertail coverts.
ReplyDeleteThe wing bar although white does not appear as bright as on Ferruginous and does not fully extend to the outer primaries ( from what I can see).
My one problem is that I cannot see any black at the tip of the beak which would be ok for the juvenile but juveniles do not have a bright yellow iris.
So is it a Tufted or a hybrid?
Michele and Chris, I'd say Tufted..... Common birds - even ones with atypical plumage - are still much more common than rarities!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Michele, but a warm Tufted sounds quite endearing! It certainly lacked any white on the undertail, but I'm pleased it provoked discussion.
ReplyDelete