HEN RING-NECKED DUCK

Few observers in Colorado bother to distinguish between ring-necked ducks and lesser scaup. To them they are all "bluebills." Female ring-necked ducks are especially hard to differentiate from female redheads, even in the hand.

RING-NECKED DUCKS ON APPROACH

Ring-necked ducks have gray speculums, not white like the lesser scaup.

RING-NECKED DUCK PAIR

From a distance male ring-necked ducks can be spotted in a mixed flock of divers by the vertical white stripe on the foreward part of the body. Their bills are different from lesser scaup and the head shape of the male ring-necked duck is distinctive.