[Maine-birds] Re: Phippsburg odd duck ID help ? Shoveler

I think that it is another juvenile Eider, but maybe a different age than the ones around it. To me, the bill looks right, albeit not fully developed yet. A dabbling duck, even a juvenile, would have a concave-curved culmen, while this bird's culmen is straight, consistent with Common Eider. The body coloring and shape of the head seem consistent to me as well.

Cole Winstanley

Concord, MA / Kennebunkport, ME

On Thursday, July 25, 2013 9:48:08 AM UTC-4, Robin Robinson wrote:

 Phippsburg, Me Map 6 Totman Cove
? is this a juv Northern Shoveler?
looking for help with probably impossible ID or at least suggestions:
Odd duck (that would be the bird in the water, not the one typing in the chair here) in company of flock of juv Common eiders. Link to series of images of bird in question below (images are poor - low light and distance).
Bird was a dabbler not a diver
1/2 the size of the eiders
bill twice length of head, smooth slope, huge looking bill
head somewhat rounded, certainly not that of eiders with more sloping forehead
brown with possibly rufus/reddish on top of head
some white feathers in coverts
What got my attention was the size and shape of this bird as major stand out elements from eiders. Did not look like a Mallard nor Black Duck youngster, different head and bill shape. Odd to see birds other than eiders mixed in with juv eiders. Usually only mallard and black ducks hang with eiders and rarely this time of year, only in winter.Will try for better photos or more id points if I see the little guy again. Anyone who wants to go looking these birds are cruising rock line and crossing Totman Cove West Point to Small Point and into North Creek.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this. And so the autumn "what's that bird" stuff begins.........
Robin R Robinson
Baffled Again in The Burg

http://www.robinrobinsonmaine.com/OTHER-AND-MISCELLANEOUS/eBird/20888035_sMnHPp

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