Duck id ???

[Nancy-ID]

Took this one yesterday also, but I can't pin point an id for it. Any clues?

[Bandaid]

My guess ( and it's only a guess) is that it could a female lessor, or possibly a greater scaup, but the colors seem a little on the dark side for a female. I'm going by the white patch above the bill of the bird.

Reg

[DiamondWillow]

I agree, Scaup, some call it a Bluebill, ringbill. But I usually call it a Scaup also.
Gene

[Nancy-ID]

I think both of you are correct. Ducks Unlimited shows similar birds but neither quite fits this duck but I'm sure there are variations among them. Their descriptions and photos below:

RING-NECKED Description: Although male ring-necked ducks superficially resemble their counterparts in greater and lesser scaups, their peaked, angular head profile, distinctive white bill markings, and uniformly dark upper wings distinguish them. Female ring-necked ducks most closely resemble female redheads, but are distinguished by their smaller size, peaked, angular head profile, and pale region around the face. Male ring-necked ducks have an iridescent black head, neck, breast and upperparts. The belly and flanks are whitish to grayish with a distinctive triangular white wedge extending upward in the area in front of the folded wing. The bill is slate with a white border around the base and nares and a pale white band behind the black tip. Their name is derived from a faint brownish ring around the base of the neck, which is visible only upon close inspection. The legs and feet are gray-blue and the iris is yellow. Relatively silent except in display when a low whistling note is uttered. Female ring-necked ducks have a brown head with a black crown, light brown cheeks and chin, and a white eye-ring. A narrow white line extends from the eye to the back of the head. The bill is slate with a faint white band near the tip. The neck, back, sides, and flanks are brown and the belly is white. The legs and feet are gray-blue and the iris is brown.

Greater Scaup Description: Greater and lesser scaup are often found together, but the larger size of the greater scaup is very obvious. Male greater scaup also have a larger more round, green-tinted head than male lesser scaup. Male greater scaup have a glossy black head tinted green. The neck, breast, and upper mantle are glossy black and the flanks and belly are white sometimes with gray vermiculations on the lower flanks. The back is whitish with fine black vermiculations and the tail, upper and under-tail coverts are black. The wing has a broad white speculum spanning nearly the length of the primaries and secondaries. The bill is a light blue-gray with a black nail, the legs and feet are gray, and the iris is yellow. Relatively silent except in display, the male utters a soft cooing as well as whistling notes in courtship. Female greater scaup are brown with white oval patches around their bills. The bill is similar to that of the male, but slightly duller and the legs and feet are gray.

Ring-Neck on the left. Greater Scaup on the right.

[Rare Decoys]

Hi....Looks like a Drake.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Maybe it's the AFLAK duck in disguise?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I "duckid" but it hit me anyway

[Merle Rice]

Thanks Nancy ID , I needed a good laugh to start my day.
Merle