What the heck is this? (ID help please)
 

First year duck hunting. Any help with IDing this? Small pond, central Texas, diver duck. To my eyes, it doesn't match anything on the TPWD website.

Huh, so that's what a scaup looks like.

good job getting it!

Yeah but most hens have a white patch behind the bill, I have never seen one with a brown patch, juvenile or adult.

I have another one for you experts - is this just an exceptionally dark bodied redhead?

Thank you. Central Texas.

Yep, Redhead. Wing speculum is correct.

Thank you!

27jb...I don't want to be hard on you being its your first year duck hunting. but you should be able to identify your birds before you shoot them. those federal fines are pretty steep if you shoot a protected one or go over your limit on a species.
but in any event congrats on your duck(s). waterfowl hunting is a lot of fun, especially with at well trained dog.