Post by Gord on Feb 20, 2022 23:06:08 GMT -8
Recently I got some photos of both species and thought it would be fun to share. Also, these are easily confused species so worth raising awareness on them.
Lesser is the most common in our area. Greater is far less common and any sightings outside of Harrison Lake and Kilby should be looked at closely. Greater does pop up in other areas so don't just dismiss the possibility. At the moment, Mill Lake and the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve both have a Greater kicking around
Today we saw a Greater and Lesser at the Blue Heron. Greater is larger and the shape compared to Lesser does stand out. In the photo below both are in a similar posture which also helps. As a duck goes about its day, it can make all sorts of head shapes so that's not always reliable.
_0229796 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
When they are by themselves, it's not difficult to start to try and make a scaup into a Greater. A great (pardon the pun) way is to catch them when sleeping. The head shape is consistent and the rounded on Greater and peaked on Lesser is very apparent.
Greater
_0229737 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Male Greater
_0229721 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Lesser
_0229735 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
There's some other details such as size of bill, the amount of black 'nail' and so forth. There's a bit of overlap there and it is a bit subjective. Colour of head also not very reliable. Purple for Lesser and green on Greater, but anyone who's seen a Mallard in different light angles knows that a Mallard's trademark green head can be purple!
One more Greater
_0229728 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
And a Lesser
_0229640 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Lesser is the most common in our area. Greater is far less common and any sightings outside of Harrison Lake and Kilby should be looked at closely. Greater does pop up in other areas so don't just dismiss the possibility. At the moment, Mill Lake and the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve both have a Greater kicking around
Today we saw a Greater and Lesser at the Blue Heron. Greater is larger and the shape compared to Lesser does stand out. In the photo below both are in a similar posture which also helps. As a duck goes about its day, it can make all sorts of head shapes so that's not always reliable.
_0229796 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrWhen they are by themselves, it's not difficult to start to try and make a scaup into a Greater. A great (pardon the pun) way is to catch them when sleeping. The head shape is consistent and the rounded on Greater and peaked on Lesser is very apparent.
Greater
_0229737 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrMale Greater
_0229721 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrLesser
_0229735 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrThere's some other details such as size of bill, the amount of black 'nail' and so forth. There's a bit of overlap there and it is a bit subjective. Colour of head also not very reliable. Purple for Lesser and green on Greater, but anyone who's seen a Mallard in different light angles knows that a Mallard's trademark green head can be purple!
One more Greater
_0229728 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrAnd a Lesser
_0229640 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr