[Maine-birds] Re: Duck ID question?

Hi everyone-
Thanks for your comments, both on and off-list.  It appears that several people have seen a leucositic Ruddy Duck on Sabattus Pond - and that is exactly the shape/size/behaviour of the animal I saw -- so I suspect that is what it was.  The colors of my bird match those that they are describing.
I appreciate the suggestions, ideas, and lessons -- including the curve ball from Ma Nature!  Goes to figure when I try to spend a day learning my ducks that I get the "odd duck" to sort out!
Thanks again - birders are so willing to teach, it is awesome!
-Sandra

On Saturday, November 15, 2014 7:14:30 PM UTC-5, Sandra Mitchell wrote:

Hi-
At the risk of sounding stupid, I was hoping someone could perhaps point me in the right direction to look.  I went to Sabattus Pond today to try and improve my duck skills - and spent several hours there along with my book and scope.  Now that my nose and toes have thawed from the wind.....I have one duck I still can't ID.

It was just off the shore near Hot Dog Road, with a group of mallards.  It was petite, much smaller than the mallards, and quite rounded appearing.  It was a diving duck, in fact, I was unable to get a picture because each time it came up and I found it - down it went again!  The overall appearance was largely white to light colored, with a tan "ear patch".  It stuck out remarkably because it was so small and so white, compared to every one else nearby (mallards, mergansers, and buffleheads).

The closet thing I've come up with is a juvenile Long-tailed duck, but even those appear in the pictures I am finding to have more dark on them than what I saw.

I realize this is a needle in a haystack question but this bird has perked my curiosity and I'd love to sort it out.

Thanks -- and off list replies are welcome, too! :)

(and Mike -- if you are reading this -- if I told you I was seeing flocks of SCOTERS, I meant SCAUP.  I'm sure you realized what I meant.  :)

-Sandra

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