![](http://www.bigyearbirding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/White-winged-Scoter-2.jpg)
I’ve been working on my species recognition . . . on the female side. Unlike with humans, male birds are much more attractive and colorful than their female counterparts and much more difficult to identify. For instance, yesterday I saw this female White-winged Scoter (above) swimming by herself. It took me a while to figure out what she was.
The male White-winged Scoter is much more obvious.
![](http://www.bigyearbirding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/White-winged-Scoter-3.jpg)
And compare the male and female Harlequin Ducks, also photographed yesterday.
![](http://www.bigyearbirding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Harlequin-Ducks-2.jpg)