FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] identification of CBBT female eider

["Elisa Enders" <elisaenders@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Would anyone who saw the female eider at the CBBT please detail how they 
came to a species conclusion.  I saw the bird in question, and I thought it 
had aspects of both species.  The head shape reminded me of a Common Eider, 
but the plumage appeared "scaly" rather than "barred".  I think the Sibley 
guide shows a slight eye-ring on the female King Eider -- which this bird 
sort of had.  I just wish my Peterson guide was in working order, so I could 
compare the books.  I had trouble seeing the "nail" of the bill and judging 
how far up the bird's face it extended.

I have seen female eiders at the CBBT before, but always seemed to come to a 
different ID conclusion than other birders.  I remember about 10 years ago 
there were 4 female eiders at once.  I think others said King while I 
thought Common.

Or is this similar to scaup, where one judges the females based upon the 
males they associate with?  ;)



Elisa Enders
Norfolk, VA





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