Greater and Lesser Scaup

Separating Greater and Lesser Scaup was one of the first challenges that I faced when I started birding. My email friends quickly came to the rescue with the well known (assuming that you are reading this post with some birding experience) field marks.

Now I don't rely on field marks much,  as just looking at one of them gives the 'impression' as to which one it is.

The Greater Scaup has a squat appearance - like it has no neck - think of Jason Alexander of Sienfeld. The Lesser is slimmer and more dainty.

But we love to enumerate and as I was shooting both Greater and Lesser Scaup together in Wellington Harbour I thought that I would write these down although it has been done umpteen times before.

Greater is chunky with rounded head and pure white sides

Lesser is slimmer with pointed head and 'dirty' sides

Greater Male
Slightly larger - when seen together with Lesser.
Chunky with rounded head.
Eye is proportionally closer to the top of the head.
Green irridescence of head feathers.
Side in almost pure white and unmarked.
Black tip on bill  is larger
When seen head-on Greater has 'jowls'

Greater male  has 'jowls' and green irridescence

Lesser Male
Smaller of the two.
Slimmer appearance, neck more elongated, top of head is more pointed.
Irridescence of head feathers is purple when visible. Less pronounced than Greater.
Side is marked with buff markings giving a somewhat 'dirty' appearance.
Black tip on bill is smaller
When seen head-on, Lesser has a narrower face.

Lesser male has purple irridescence.

Greater Female
Slightly larger - when seen together with Lesser female.
Chunky with rounded head.
Eye is proportionally closer to the top of the head.
Black tip on bill  is larger
Eye colour is bright yellow.

Greater female has same chunky shape as male with larger black tip on bill.

Lesser Female
Smaller of the two females.
Slimmer appearance, neck more elongated, top of head is more pointed.
Black tip on bill is smaller
Eye colour is duller and not as bright yellow as Greater..

Lesser female - slimmer shape, smaller black tip and darker eye

The best way to distinguish is just to look at them together. Now is a great time as many mixed groups of Greater and Lesser Scaup are wintering on the shores and bays of the Great Lakes and soon more will be migrating and swimming together.