(Aythya marila neartica)
The American scaup, or blue-bill, the lesser scaup (=Aythya affinis=)
and the ring-neck (=Aythya collaris=) are very plentiful from
Washington to Mexico. These three species are generally grouped
together by the sportsmen of the Coast under the name of black jacks,
black ducks, black-heads or blue-bills; all three species being
considered as belonging to the one variety, and the lesser scaup
(=Aythya affinis=) as the younger birds. With the males, at least,
there should be no excuse for this error, for they can be easily
distinguished by the color of the speculum, or bright band on the
wings, and by the color of the metallic sheen of the head and neck.
The speculum of the American scaup, or larger blue-bill, is white, the
head and neck showing a greenish sheen, quite pronounced in the
sunlight. The lesser scaup, or little blue-bill (=Aythya affinis=) has
a white speculum also, but the sheen of the head and neck is purple.
The ring-neck (=Aythya collaris=), has a gray speculum, which, though
quite light in color, can easily be distinguished from the pure white
of the other two. The metallic sheen of the head of the ring-neck is a
dark indigo blue. The bill of the ring-neck is quite different from
that of the scaups, being much darker in color and more of a sooty
tinge and with a faint bluish band across it about half an inch from
the end. The females of all three species resemble each other very
closely, but the difference in size will generally determine to which
species they belong. The two blue-bills can be told from the female
ring-neck by their white speculums. The female ring-neck has the gray
of the male, but this does not distinguish it from the female
red-head. The smaller size of the ring-neck and darker appearance of
the head and neck will always indicate to which species the female
belongs. The bill of the female red-head meets the skull in quite an
abrupt manner, while hat of the ring-neck has more of the sloping
character of the canvasback.
=Color=--Male--Head and neck, black, showing a green luster in the
sun; back, gray, finely lined with black; under parts, white;
speculum, white.
Female--Head, dead brown, with a light gray patch at the base of the
bill blending into the brown of the head; breast and back, dirty
brown; under parts, white; speculum, white; bill, bluish.
=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is a crude affair near the water's edge,
containing about ten pale olive-buff eggs.
=Measurements=--Total length, about 18 inches; wing, 8-1/2, and
bill, 1 7/8 inches. The females are but a trifle smaller.