Anna Fasoli, Cory Ritter, and I birded Whitetail Wetlands this afternoon in Bedford County. This is a private wetland complex. We stopped at the large pond and I spotted what I assumed was a Ruddy Duck swimming next to some Canada Geese and a drake Mallard. Once I got the scope on it, I was amazed to see a Black Scoter! This is a very rare species in PA and it is extremely uncommon to see one in a marsh-like wetland when they are always found on open ocean or at least massive lakes. Its also weird that my first PA Black Scoter ever was just on Monday on this past week.
Black Scoter
Rusty Blackbirds, like this female, were also very common at the wetlands today, with about 100 seen total.
What are the differences between a female black scoter and a winter plumage male ruddy duck? I saw a few ruddy ducks at Canoe Creek and now I'm second guessing myself a little.
ReplyDeleteGood question, since these two species are quite similar. For one, the scoter is much larger than a RUDU. Also, BLSC has a much longer shape than RUDU, which has a more compacted shape. The dark cap on a BLSC is more curved than the dark cap on a RUDU, which is more straight across the head. Also the bill shape is very different. Most likely you just saw RUDU, but once in a while, a BLSC will mix in with RUDU, so you have to check closely. I might write a full post about this question....
ReplyDeleteI should add that BLSC has a stiff tail, much like a RUDU, only shorter, but still adding to the confusion when the birds are being viewed from a distance.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm pretty sure they were RUDU's. They never lifted their tails, but everything else fits with your description.
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