Broadies....

Capt. Brian Rhodes

Capt. Brian Rhodes

Well-known member
bill.jpg


bill2.jpg


bill3.jpg


bill4.jpg


bill5.jpg


bill6.jpg


bill7.jpg

 
Wow. Those are cool. Just curious, how close were you when you took those? I really like the difference in coloration of the last two. Are they both lessers or even the same bird?

Mike
 
Great shots once again!! I see a mixture of Lessers and Greaters. I thought that Greaters were called Broadbills, and Lessers were called Bluebills. This isn't the case along the East Coast ?
 
I can only tell them apart when they are in hand and you can look at the primary feathers.

As far as names, Ihave never heard a difference used for lessers or greaters. They have quite a few names depending where you are. Bluebills, broadbills, scaup, or blackheads if you are in Maryland!
 
I guess it depends on what part of the country you're in as far as the "slang" names used for them. The photos you posted, the top and bottom birds are greaters, the rest are lesser drakes, I can't tell what the hen is. They are all really great shots. I really enjoy all the photos you guys share. Thanks again for posting them.
 
I'm fairly certain those are all lessers, by the "bump" on the back of the head. Greaters have a round head, smooth curve from the top of the head to the bottom of the cheek, it doesnt have that little break in it like all of those drakes do if you follow what I am saying. The hen I can't tell.
 
head shape and size of the nail says Lesser.....Green iradescense is not an indicator of species... .........

Steve
 
Last edited:
I'm with the Capt....the only way I can tell is having duck in hand, by the primarys. I have also noticed on greaters the black swatch on the tip of the bill is wider....just my 2 cents
 
It wouldn't completely shock me for the hen to be a Greater.
The rest look like Lessers but that last one is a little different then the rest. Maybe a hybrid. :-)

Tim
 
Site with pics of a Lesser and Greater side by side:
http://www.utahbirds.org/featarts/Scaup.htm

Easy to see the difference when side by side.....a bit more difficult on a foggy morning as they scream into the decoys trying to commit duckiecide.....especially if one is half a sleep dozing with a thermos of coffee in hand......
 
Last edited:
Guys - I have an opportunity to band bluebills with Dr. Al Afton in March as part of his bluebill research. I plan to ask him the different traits and will report back the information and, hopefully some good pictures...

Brian - I am carving 2 bluebills and will use your photos as a reference for my painting. They are awesome! Thanks!!
 
head shape and size of the nail says Lesser.....Green iradescense is not an indicator of species... .........
Click to expand...


Completely agree, head color which changes everytime the sun hits the birds from a different angle is the worse indicator.
For me, bill size and size of the nail is the biggest indicator. Plus size of the bird, most greaters are much large than lessers, greaters I have shot have all been almost as big as redheads.
However, when looking at live birds in pics, its still an educated guess for me!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top