Do Gris vs ring neck

Any old veteran Duck hunters got any tips for identifying Do Gris vs. ring necks when in flight. I had close call last season, miss id'd a scaup for a ring neck, thankfully I wasnt over the limit of 2 do gris. It was a passing shot and damned if it didnt look the exact same as a ring neck to me. Not sure I can tell the difference unless they were right in my face. Thanks.

Ahh well i think a dosgris has a lil more white on the wing that a ringneck. Its just hard to tell there is no easy way around it really. Just remember dosgris are brackish water ducks and ringnecks are freshwater. So you almost never find ringnecks in salt marshes.

The way they fly is a good indicator. Ringnecks have shorter choppier wings and wing beats. I can usually see the ring around the front and back of their bill too.

I do feel you though, it can be tough to identify the difference.

well glad to know im not the only one to struggle with it.
Didnt know ring necks were mostly fresh water. I killed both in a brachish marsh last year. If i'd have known the ring neck to be rare in that area I might have kept him to mount.
I do know the ring neck was passing in a flock and it was in a tight V formation rather than a lose open flock.

Choot 'em, choot 'em, choot 'em......

Troy is the man!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rN33T_FJIM

For the drakes, look at the bills and the backs.

Dos Gris (Scaup): light blue bill

back is black/white vermiculated pattern

Ringnecks: darker, blue/grey bill with distinct white stripes at base and near tip

back is almost solid black

For the hens, a little more difficult, but bills are basically the same as the drakes.

If i'd have known the ring neck to be rare in that area I might have kept him to mount.

- Roofing