What kind of duck is this?

[Jambruins]

I bagged this duck this morning and was wondering what kind of duck it is. It is kind of hard to see but I figured someone would know what it is. Thanks

James

[Carpn]

It's a hen Scaup.Looks a little chilly there....

[CGOlson]

You have a Lesser Scaup or commonly known as a Blue Bill, hen. the difference between a Lesser and Greater Scaup hen lies in the eye and bill of the duck. Lesser has an orange colored eye and an almost blackish blue colored bill. The Greater has a light yellow colored eye and a dark blueish grey bill with a black tip. Both go around 1 to 3 pounds with the Greater being a slight bit bigger. Either way they eat well : )

[Jambruins]

Thanks for the help, I thought it was a scaup but I wasn't sure.

[drgildy]

One of the easiest ways to identify the greater is that the light gray of the speculum will extend from the secondary flight feathers into the primaries. The lesser never has the light color past the secondaries. Eyes can vary more in individuals and because of age than from the two different races.