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Birding/surf scoter
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Question
What color is the inside of a surf scoter's mouth? Upper and lower bills? Thank
you.
That may be the most bizarre question I've ever gotten. I have never seen the inside of a Surf Scoter's mouth. They are diving ducks and therefore don't usually have their mouths open, unless they're under the water. I would assume pink. But I have nothing concrete on which to base that assumption.
Can I ask why you need to know? If this is something you really need to know, the Cornell lab of Ornithology probably has someone that would be able to tell you what the inside of a Surf Scoter's mouth looks like, because they've done actual specimen tagging.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/About/HowToReachUs.html
Good luck,
Julia
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Answers by Expert:
Julia Booth
Expertise
I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena. Bear in mind that as much as I know, it's possible that at least some of you will ask a question that I am unable to answer. At which point I would direct you to wherever or whomever I thought could provide you with that information.
Experience
I have 15 years birding experience in Southern California.
Organizations
Audubon Society
Education/Credentials
My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.
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