California Scaup

Endless scanning of the Colorado River can produce a nice waterfowl list this time of year. I was most excited Sunday to see Common Goldeneye, a bird not often encountered here in southeast Arizona. And just above Parker Dam we had some great views of Lesser and Greater Scaup.

These three are Greaters, and I like the photo not just for that big lobe on the preening drake’s hallux, but also for the way that it offers three different perspectives on the species’ characteristic head shape. The bird on the right, facing away in a three-quarter view, actually shows a “notch” on the back of the head, formed by the intersection of full nape and puffy cheek; but that notch is lower than it would be on a Lesser Scaup. The things we have out there to learn!