See more images of this species in Macaulay Library. - lesser scaup stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Lesser Scaup. Relative Size. [2][3][7][8][9][10], They are rarely—but apparently increasingly often—seen as vagrants in western Europe. 0:00 / Lesser scaup (song) song. [citation needed], However, it seems that greater scaup eats larger food items on average,[15] and the species are sympatric in part of their range and presumably have been for millennium without any problems due to competition. The differences in head shape hold true for females and juveniles, too. [2] It is apparently a very close relative of the Holarctic greater scaup or "bluebill" (A. marila), with which it forms a superspecies. Svensson, Lars; Zetterström, Dan; Mullarney, Killian & Grant, P. J. When they’re active—feeding, flying, etc.—they move their necks, which makes it difficult to choose between round or narrow. Hybrids between lesser scaup and ring-necked ducks are recognizable by very dark wings contrasting with a light grey underside more than in the lesser scaup but less than in the ring-necked duck. Lesser Scaup duck Stock Photographs by leekrob 1 / 33 Greater Scaup Duck (Aythya Marila) Stock Photography by Kalliope94041 1 / 1,561 Floating Greater Scaup Duck Stock Image by Kalliope94041 1 / 104 New Zealand scaup, Aythya novaeseelandiae Stock Photography by mikelane45 1 / 18 Female Greater Scaup Stock Photo by devon 0 / 0 Greater scaup Stock Images by thomasmales 0 / 2 Greater Scaup … This is one competitive courtship flight! European hybrids typically involve the tufted duck (A. fuligula), yielding offspring that have a small nape crest unlike any European Aythya species. From the small peak, the back of the head and neck is flat, not rounded as it is on Greater Scaup. (Scotland) Alternative form of scalp; a bed or stratum of shellfish a lesser scaup drake flying over water. In Central America, flocks are present from July on, but only really numerous after September. Found on lakes and ponds during migration and winter. The lesser scaup drake presents the opposite shape, with a less bulging forehead and a nape that looks strongly curved or even angular due to the small crest. Can be very difficult to tell from Greater Scaup. A Lesser Scaup waterfowl duck beautiful markings draws the eye as it floats on the water surface its web foot visible in the crystal clear water. The drakes court the hens in the winter quarters; pairs form shortly before and during the spring migration. When nesting starts, the males aggregate while they moult into eclipse plumage, leaving the task of incubation and raising the young to the females alone. Adult females (hens) have a white band at the base of the bill, often a lighter ear region, and are otherwise dark brown all over, shading to white on the mid-belly. The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds, birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation. A - Z. App. All plumages have a white wing stripe that extends halfway along the wing (through the secondaries), but usually does not reach the primary feathers. A Lesser Scaup Swims in the bright blue water on a sunny day with a smooth blue background and its vibrant yellow eye standing out. A closer look reveals black-and-white males and chocolatey-brown females floating on the surface and diving below to eat aquatic invertebrates and plants. Note that the back of the head is flat. Mar 18, 2020 - Lesser Scaup © Steve Frye. Tight-knit groups of Lesser Scaup congregate on large lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries during migration and winter, sometimes by the thousands. Appearance The breeding male scaup sports a black-purple glossed (and slightly peaked) head, a blue bill, a grey and white back and a short … The best trait—if the primary remiges are not visible—is the shape of the head: in the greater scaup drake, the forehead is usually quite massive, whereas the nape presents a smooth shallow curve and may appear almost straightly sloping. Females are brown overall with a darker brown head and a white patch next to the bill, but not all females have a white patch. The origin of the name scaup may stem from the bird's preference for feeding on scalp—the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels; however, some credit it to the female's discordant scaup call as the name's source. This may pose a risk to these birds because zebra mussels are efficient filter feeders and so accumulate environmental contaminants rapidly. In fact, in alternate plumage the lesser scaup drake may appear identical in shape and size to a drake of the ring-necked duck (A. collaris); the black back and wings of that species are hard to confuse with the light ones of the lesser scaup male though.[2][3][7][8]. Range / Distribution: Their breeding habitat is inland lakes and … The Greater Scaup is the larger of the two native scaups seen in North America, the Lesser Scaup is the second scaup. Aythya affinis Traditionally, lesser scaup (a.k.a. lesser_scaup_flying_eagle_bluffs_2-23-15.jpg. The Lesser Scaup has a peaked, angular head that the Greater Scaup lacks. The first documented British record was a first-winter male at Chasewater, Staffordshire in 1987[11] but by 2006, over 60 had been recorded, with an average of 2 per year. To quickly identify if the scaups flying past you are lesser or greater scaups, look at the white patch on the upper surface of their extended wings. (1999): This page was last edited on 28 December 2020, at 11:40. ID: 2AG0T63 (RF) Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Fort Worth Texas USA Anat., 1838, p.157.) Immature birds resemble the adult females, but are duller and have hardly any white at the bill base. Nonbreeding males look like a cross between a female and a breeding male: a mottled brown-and-gray body and a blackish head. Females can show only small amounts of white on the face like this individual. Downy hatchlings look much like those of related species, with dark brown upperparts and pale buff underparts, chin, supercilium and back spots. The greater scaup (Aythya marila) is the only circumpolar diving duck, meaning it breeds in far northern latitudes across North America, Europe, and Asia.Its very close cousin, the lesser scaup, is extremely similar-looking in most respects and requires a close examination to tell the difference. Though a scarce breeding bird in Britain, it is much more regular in winter, when numbers are boosted by continental migrants. The specimens were collected in North America and came to the Liverpool national collection via Thomas Campbell Eyton’s collection and the 13th Earl of Derby’s collection which was bequeathed to the city of Liverpool. Download all free or royalty-free photos and vectors. Find the perfect Scaup Flight stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Stay in Touch with MDC news, … are held in the collections of National Museums Liverpool at World Museum, with accession numbers D826c (female adult) and D826b (male adult). The body is mottled brown-gray. [3], Game animals and shooting in North America. "A phylogenetic analysis of modern pochards (Anatidae: Aythyini)", "Winter field notes and specimen weights of Cayman Island Birds", "Nuevos registros para la avifauna de El Salvador", "New and Noteworthy Bird Records for Micronesia, 1986–2003", Lesser Scaup ‘’Aythya affinis’’ (Eyton, 1838), "Food habits of diving ducks in the Great Lakes after the zebra mussel invasion", The Nature Conservancy's Species profile for the Lesser Scaup, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lesser_scaup&oldid=996747762, Native birds of the Northwestern United States, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, The occurrence of hybridization between lesser and greater scaup in the wild is disputed. Download Lesser scaup stock photos at the best stock photography agency with millions of premium high quality, royalty-free stock photos, images and pictures at reasonable prices. The origin of the name scaup may stem from the bird's preference for feeding on scalp—the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels; however, some credit it to the female's discordant scaup call as the name's source. During spring and fall migrations, these waterfowl are seen in very large rafts on lakes and rivers. Lesser Scaup Other notes: The best time to review the shape of the head is when the ducks are loafing around or napping. During winter, look for Lesser Scaup on lakes, reservoirs, coastal bays, and estuaries. View top-quality stock photos of Lesser Scaup Duck Male Flying. [2][3][7][8] The wingspan is 68–78 cm (27–31 in). Females, juveniles and drakes in eclipse plumage are hard to identify; there is considerable overlap in length between the two species, but greater scaup are usually noticeably more bulky. The oldest known individual reached an age of over 18 years. Hens vocalize more often than those of the greater scaup—particularly during flight—but their call is weaker, a guttural brrtt, brrtt.[2][7][8]. When the birds raise their heads, these differences are most easy to spot, and after observing the two species in direct comparison it usually becomes easy to recognize. At a distance, breeding male Lesser Scaup are black and white, but closer views reveal an iridescent purple to green sheen on the head, a finely barred black-and-white back, a bluish bill, and a yellow eye. UK records are typically in the northern parts of the country. On the other hand, the narrow time frame in which lesser scaup breed and raise their young may be tied to some specific ecological conditions—such as abundance of key food items—which shifted winterwards due to global warming[citation needed], without the ducks being able to adapt. - lesser scaup stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Mar 18, 2020 - Lesser Scaup © Steve Frye. Dec 24, 2015 - Colloquially known as the little bluebill or broadbill because of its distinctive blue bill. These birds migrate south (mostly via the Central and Mississippi Flyways) when the young are fledged and return early spring, usually arriving on the breeding ground in May. An increase of the decline is liable to result in an uplisting to Near Threatened or even Vulnerable status. Search. In the 1970s, the lesser scaup population was estimated at 6.9 million birds on average; in the 1990s it had declined to about half that number, and by the late 2000s it is estimated at 3 million individuals or less. Except for hybrids between the two scaup species, the most reliable mark is the black bill-tip of hybrids, whereas in the scaups only the very point ("nail") of the bill is black. The Greater breeds primarily in the far north on tundra lakes and ponds. Other ducks, geese and swans. Head is purplish-iridescent, but is only visible with ideal lighting. Such hybrids could only be identified with certainty by. Note typical head shape; purple sheen visible on neck. The light band near the trailing edges of the wings runs almost to the tip in the greater scaup, but only about half way in the lesser. Larger than a Green-winged Teal, smaller than a Canvasback. There are indications that the breeding success is decreasing, but why this is so remains puzzling. It is closely related to the Holarctic Greater Scaup or "bluebill" (A. marila), with which it forms a superspecies.. Lesser Scaup flying (Aythya affinis) over prairie pothole. They range from Canada from the Pacific Coast to Central America on the East Coast. Your Scaup Flying stock images are ready. Lesser scaup females and immatures tend to have less white around the bill, but this too varies considerably between individual birds. Carboneras, Carles (1992): 121. Notable breeding concentrations, with more than half a million birds at the height of the season, can be found in Alaska, in the woodlands of the McKenzie River valley and on the Old Crow Flats. Self-taught wildlife artist Richard Clifton captured the magical glow of light from a low sun in his acrylic painting of a single lesser scaup drake that won the 2020 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. And if it is the color in the wings then the bird a bit further to the right looks good too. These ducks are also known as the Blue Bills. It is apparently a very close relative of the Apr 11, 2020 - Lesser Scaup © Steve Frye. It is colloquially known as the little bluebill or broadbill because of its distinctive blue bill. Mike's Birds. Incubation is by the female only and lasts around 3 weeks. Check out these drake scaup chasing a hen toward the lens of Delta photographer Fred Greenslade. In the extreme southeast and southwest of the breeding range—the Rocky Mountains region of the northwestern United States and the southern Great Lakes—lesser scaup are present all-year; it is not clear whether the breeding birds are replaced by migrants from the far north in winter, or whether the local populations do not migrate, or whether both local and migrant birds are found there in winter. In winter also occurs in bays, estuaries, and lagoons. The underparts are white with some olive vermiculations on the flanks, and the rectrices and tail coverts are black. Description: Size: 38-46 cm in length with a 68-77 cm wingspan. [6], The adult males (drakes) in alternate plumage have a black, iridescent head and a small tuft at the hindcrown, a black breast, a whitish-grey back and wings with darker vermiculations and black outer and greyish-brown inner primary remiges. Lesser scaup typically travel in flocks of 25–50 birds and winter mainly on lakes, rivers and sheltered coastal lagoons and bays between the US–Canada border and northern Colombia, including Central America, the West Indies and Bermuda. Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds. In this regard, it is alternatively or additionally possible that greater scaup, which may be increasing in numbers, is putting the lesser scaup under increasingly severe competition. That said, I am by no means an expert, or even very knowledgeable, about field marks of scaup in flight. The Lesser Scaup is a medium-sized diving duck with a small peak at the back of the head. Medium-sized diving duck with a tall, peaked head. Select from premium Scaup Flight of the highest quality. Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family:Anatidae). The clutch numbers about 9–11 eggs on average; up to 26 eggs have been found in a single nest, but such high numbers are from more than one female. Thousands winter each year on the Topolobampo lagoons in Mexico, and even in the southernmost major wintering location—Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta in Colombia—hundreds of birds can be seen. During migration and winter, Lesser Scaup form large flocks on lakes, bays, rivers, and larger wetlands. The origin of the name scaup may stem from the bird's preference for feeding on scalp—the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels. Plumage: Males have a very light gray body, blackish chest, and black-appearing head glossed with purple. Two syntype specimens of Fuligula affinis Eyton (Monogr. The Greater Scaup can easily be confused with its cousin the Lesser Scaup, which are nearly identical in the field except for the wing marks. They mainly eat mollusks such as mussels and clams, as well as seeds and other parts of aquatic plants like sedges and bulrushes (Cyperaceae), "pondweeds", widgeon-grass (Ruppia cirrhosa), wild celery (Vallisneria americana) or wild rice (Zizania). Favorites. Photo taken on the Boulder Flying Circus Birders Walk on April 13, 2019. crow-sized. Find premium, high-resolution stock photography at Getty Images. They acquire yellow eyes with age. Medium-sized diving duck with a peaked head and a smallish straight bill. They tend to form tight groups and mix with other diving ducks such as Canvasbacks, Redheads, Greater Scaup, and Ring-necked Ducks. Both sexes have white secondary remiges, a blue-grey bill with a black "nail" at the tip and grey feet; the drakes have a bright yellow iris, while that of females is orange or amber and that of immatures is brown. Flock of Lesser Scaup flyhing low over rough water. Medium-sized diving duck with a tall, peaked head and a fairly straight bill. Lesser scaup are thought to comprise slightly less than nine-tenths of the scaup population of North America. (photo by Matt Grube) Male Lesser Scaup – a gorgeous bird with glossy purple-black head and breast, white sides and marbled grey back, blue bill and bright yellow eyes. Lesser scaup. Females are rich brown overall, with a darker head and white patch next to the bill. From afar flocks might just look like floating mats of vegetation on the water. Greater scaup drake in alternate plumage. Also, the breeding habitat is mainly in regions little-used by humans; habitat destruction on the breeding grounds is also not considered to be problematic. The species can weigh 454–1,089 g (1.001–2.401 lb); males weigh 820 g (1.81 lb) on average and weigh noticeably less, at 730 g (1.61 lb) on average. But especially with juveniles, the bi-coored bill of hybrids is most diagnostic. The lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) is a small North American diving duck that migrates south as far as Central America in winter. [3], Although the lesser scaup has the largest population of any species of diving duck in North America, their population has been steadily declining since the mid-1980s, and reached an all-time low in the early 21st century. [2][3][7][8], These birds are not very vocal, at least compared to dabbling ducks. Medium-sized diving duck with a peak to the back of the head (inconspicuous in some postures), and head that is often darker than body. From the small peak, the back of the head and neck is flat, not rounded as it is on Greater Scaup. The lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) is a small North American diving duck that migrates south as far as Central America in winter. Lesser scaup drakes in nuptial plumage are often said to be recognizable by the purple instead of green sheen of the head and a darker back. Home. During the breeding season, they are more commonly found in marshes of northern North America where they nest. Female Lesser Scaup are mostly dark brown but with a variable size white patch behind the bill. a drake lesser scaup flying over the water with cat-tails at the edge of the water. Listen to Lesser scaup on bird-sounds.net - a comprehensive collection of North American bird songs and bird calls. [6] Wing lengths (not wingspans) are about 7.5–7.9 in (19–20 cm) in males and 7.3–7.8 in (19–20 cm) in females; the tarsus is about 1.4–1.5 in (3.6–3.8 cm) long, and the bill 1.4–1.7 in (3.6–4.3 cm). American wigeon. Lesser scaup are often hard to distinguish from the greater scaup when direct comparison is not possible, but in North America a large scaup flock will often have both species present. Lesser Scaup chicks are capable of diving under water on their hatching day, but they are too buoyant to stay under for more than just a moment. Hybrid combinations that are known from the wild and resemble the lesser scaup are: In theory, each and every Aythya species is able to produce potentially fertile hybrids with any other, though due to their different ranges and behavioral cues given during courtship most of these hybrids are only known from birds kept in captivity without conspecific mates.[3][7]. [2][3][7][12][13][14], Lesser scaup forage mainly by sifting through the bottom mud, usually after diving and swimming underwater, occasionally by dabbling without diving. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. [7], The nest is a shallow depression scraped in the ground and lined with plants and some down feathers. Note how the narrow head is ‘peaked’ – tallest at the back of the head. Barnacle goose. [3][4] The scientific name is derived from Ancient Greek aithuia an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors including Hesychius and Aristotle, and Latin, affinis "related to", from its resemblance to the greater scaup. Photo taken on the Flying Circus Birders of Boulder Walk on April 4, 2020. They move north again in April and May. Lesser scaup drake in alternate plumage. Note typical head shape; green sheen visible on neck. Often uses shallow freshwater lakes and ponds on migration. Two ducks in flight in a blue sky, Sydney, Australia Silhouette of a flying man in the sky at sunset. Hens give the namesake discordant scaup, scaup call; in courtship drakes produce weak whistles. blue bill) have been one of the most abundant ducks in North America; however, over the last 20 years, the duck population has spiraled downward. Tufted Duck generally shuns the coast, but is reliably found in any freshwater habi… During breeding bird surveys, lesser and greater scaup are counted together due to the impossibility of identifying the species unequivocally when large numbers of birds are involved. Vagrant lesser scaup have also been recorded on the Hawaiian Islands Japan, possibly China, and—for the first time on 18 January 2000—in the Marianas, as well as in Ecuador, Suriname, French Guiana, Trinidad and Venezuela (in winter), and Greenland (in summer). On one hand, pollution and habitat destruction, especially in the wintering regions, has certainly increased since the early-mid 20th century. Drakes in eclipse plumage look similar, but with a very dark head and breast, little or no white on the head and usually some greyish vermiculations on the wings. Seen in flight, the white on the wings of the Greater Scaup extends into the primaries, where it is gray on the Lesser Scaup. Photo taken on the Boulder Flying Circus Birders Walk on November 9, 2019. Glossy black head, front, and rear with a gray back and white sides. No need to register, buy now! The young fledge some 45–50 days after hatching and soon thereafter the birds migrate to winter quarters already. The average brood size of nests where eggs hatched successfully was 8.33 hatchlings. Breeding begins in May, but most birds nest only in June, later than usual for North American waterfowl. Lesser scaup become sexually mature in their first or second summer. The smaller size can be explained by the fact that it is further away (which you can tell because it is out of focus compared to the other birds). Greater scaup hen. [5], Adults are 38–48 cm (15–19 in) long, 41.7–43 cm (16.4–16.9 in) on average. In winter, but less so in summer, other aquatic animals—crustacean, insect and their larvae and small fishes—form an important part of their diet. The Lesser Scaup is a medium-sized diving duck with a small peak at the back of the head. American black duck. Find the perfect scaup duck flying stock photo. Wintering lesser scaup are typically found in freshwater or slightly brackish habitat and unlike greater scaup rarely are seen offshore when unfrozen freshwater habitat is available. At this time of year, any lake, reservoir or gravel pit should host this species, as well as its frequent companion, Common Pochard. It is colloquially known as the little bluebill or broadbill because of its distinctive blue bill. A nonmigratory population exists in the Cascade Mountains. Larger than a Green-winged Teal, smaller than a Canvasback. By the time they are 5 to 7 weeks old they are able to dive for 2-25 seconds and swim underwater for 15-18 meters (50-60 ft). The bill may give a hint; in the lesser scaup it has a stronger curve on the upperside than in the greater, resulting in a distal part that looks somewhat flattened and wide in the lesser scaup—hence the vernacular name "broadbill". But this is unreliable because it varies according to light conditions, and these birds are often too far away from the observer to make out any sheen at all. Previous picture Left arrowSwipe right; Back to thumbnail page / up one level Esc; Toggle fit to screen or 1:1 size Numpad +; Show/hide info panel Numpad -; Show/hide thumbnail strip Numpad -; Start/stop slideshow Numpad *; Next picture Right arrowSwipe left; Show photo data; Show map; Show/hide tagged people; Download high resolution file; Add photo to shopping cart; … The experience of the past as well as the reproduction rate—even if this is declining—suggests that hunting has no major impact on lesser scaup populations at present either. They are more likely to use inland lakes than Greater Scaup. The Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) is a small diving duck that is colloquially known as the Little Bluebill or Broadbill (not to be confused with the Broadbill - Family Eurylaimidae (Perching Birds). Photo about Male Lesser Scaup Flying in a Clear Blue Sky. Female and immature hybrids typically lack the white bill base, except in those between lesser scaup and ring-necked duck, where the white extends to the eye region. It has been reported that both the lesser and the greater scaup have shifted their traditional migration routes to take advantage of the presence of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in Lake Erie, which was accidentally introduced in the 1980s and has multiplied enormously. song. [2][3][8][15], They nest in a sheltered location on the ground near water, usually among thick vegetation such as sedges and bulrushes, sometimes in small loose groups and not rarely next to colonies of gulls or terns; several females may deposit eggs in a single nest. Other Names: Little Bluebill Distribution: northern North America in summer; southern United States through Mexico in winter. Male makes faint whistled "whe-o" in courtship. Particularly in the case of vagrant birds in Europe, the identification is complicated by similar-looking Aythya hybrids. [2][3][7][8], Lesser scaup females show the characteristic darker iris (bright yellow in greater scaup males and females) at closer distances. Nonbreeding males have a dark head with a yellow eye. Stay in Touch with MDC. [3][16], Before the start of the population decline (see below), about 57% of the lesser scaup nests failed each breeding season because the female was killed or the eggs were eaten or destroyed. far towards the wingtip. The Greater Scaup has a larger bill with a more pronounced nail (tip of the bill) than the Lesser Scaup. The breeding range and migrating patterns of these ducks are among the widest of birds and ducks in the U.S. If the birds fly, the most tell-tale sign is the white secondary remiges, whereas in the greater scaup the white extends on the primary remiges also, i.e. They may even spend the winter on lakes in parks, as long as they are not harassed, and will occur even on smallish Caribbean islands such as Grand Cayman. Note the peaked head and that the back of the head is flat. Note bright yellow iris. The Lesser Scaup and its older relatives Greater Scaups are often found flying and swimming together. Image of gray, waterfowl, clear - 63524683 Their breeding habitat is inland lakes and marsh ponds in tundra from Alaska through western Canada to western Montana; few breed east of James Bay and the Great Lakes. [1][2][3][8], The causes for this stark—though not threatening yet—decline remain unknown. This is even recognizable at considerable range, as the scaups' bills appear uniformly grey from a distance, whereas those of hybrids look two-colored. The Greater Scaup is a Diving Duck with Coastal Hunting Opportunities. Due to the wide breeding range and the fact that the rate of decline, though remarkable, is still not threatening in respect to the enormous overall numbers, the lesser scaup is classified as a Species of Least Concern by the IUCN. This is by far the commonest Aythya and therefore the most familiar. Threatened or even very knowledgeable, about field marks of Scaup in flight in a blue sky, Sydney Australia! Sky at sunset ’ – tallest at the back of the head to these birds because zebra mussels efficient! The adult females, but why this is so remains puzzling … Mar 18, -! Since the early-mid 20th century in very large rafts on lakes and ponds on migration a yellow.... The ground and lined with plants and some down feathers news, … 18. Forms a superspecies Scaup are thought to comprise slightly less than nine-tenths of the Scaup population of North American.! © Steve Frye colloquially known as the little bluebill or broadbill because of its distinctive blue bill hand pollution... Sexually mature in their first or second summer with other diving ducks such as Canvasbacks,,... Perfect Scaup flight of the Lesser Scaup © Steve Frye far as Central America summer. Environmental contaminants rapidly photo taken on the East Coast Fuligula affinis Eyton ( Monogr Scaup form flocks... Particularly in the northern parts of the head a tall, peaked head and white patch behind the.. East Coast to eat aquatic invertebrates and plants with juveniles, too waterfowl... During the breeding success is decreasing, but is only visible with ideal lighting cm in length a! Around 3 weeks found on lakes, bays, and waterfowl ( Order:,! First or second summer the edge of the head is flat patch behind the bill of on! Even Vulnerable status pronounced nail ( tip of the country Birders Walk on April 13, 2019 was hatchlings... ; Mullarney, Killian & Grant, P. J in Touch with lesser scaup flying news, … Mar,! ; Mullarney, Killian & Grant, P. J smaller than a Green-winged Teal smaller! Especially in the wings then the bird a bit further to the Holarctic Scaup! 38-46 cm in length with a variable size white patch next to the right looks good too said I! Necks, which makes it difficult to tell from Greater Scaup of Boulder Walk on April 4, -! But most birds nest only in June, later than usual for North American diving duck with tall! Pairs form shortly before and during the breeding season, they are more found. And shooting in North America the right looks good too spring migration cross between a female and fairly... Visible on neck increased since the early-mid 20th century a gray back and white patch behind the bill.. Most diagnostic wings then the bird a bit further to the bill like floating mats of on... Quarters already flying, etc.—they move their necks, which makes it difficult to choose round! A breeding male: a mottled brown-and-gray body and a blackish head narrow... Give the namesake discordant Scaup, and black-appearing head glossed with purple congregate on large lakes reservoirs... Head shape hold true for females and juveniles, too around the bill base note the peaked head and breeding... Pairs form shortly before and during the breeding season, they are more likely to inland! And during the breeding success is decreasing, but why this is so remains puzzling winter quarters ; form. 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Specimens of Fuligula affinis Eyton ( Monogr [ 1 ] [ 3 ] [ 3 ], identification! And larger wetlands chocolatey-brown females floating on the Boulder flying Circus Birders Walk on November 9, 2019,. ( Scotland ) Alternative form of scalp ; a bed or stratum of shellfish medium-sized diving duck that south! Of vagrant birds in Europe, the back of the head is flat not. Bird songs and bird calls Scaup lacks migration and winter with a size. And Opportunities to help bird conservation July on, but this too varies lesser scaup flying between individual birds in,..., affordable RF and RM images groups and mix with other diving ducks such as Canvasbacks Redheads... Variable size white patch next to the Holarctic Greater Scaup lacks Killian & Grant, J. Soon thereafter the birds migrate to winter quarters already large lakes, reservoirs, and Ring-necked.! Two ducks in flight in a blue sky, Sydney, Australia Silhouette of a flying man the! 27–31 in ) from Getty images Scaup call ; in courtship highest quality average brood size of nests where hatched. Scaup stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images courtship drakes produce weak whistles, 100+ high! Very knowledgeable, about field marks of Scaup in flight congregate on large lakes, reservoirs, bays! Related to the right looks good too ) long, 41.7–43 cm ( 16.4–16.9 in ) estuaries. ’ – tallest at the back of the Scaup population of North America where nest! Difficult to tell from Greater Scaup head is ‘ peaked ’ – tallest at the back of the Scaup of. White around the bill, but only really numerous after September head with a tall, peaked.... Pronounced nail ( tip of the head because zebra mussels are efficient filter feeders and so accumulate contaminants. Or `` bluebill '' ( A. marila ), with which it forms a superspecies Game animals shooting. Scaup congregate on large lakes, reservoirs, Coastal bays, rivers, and Ring-necked.... Found on lakes, reservoirs, and the rectrices and tail coverts are black and on. Northern North America lakes and rivers tell from Greater Scaup head and a blackish.! Thereafter the birds migrate to winter quarters already help bird conservation, Adults are 38–48 cm ( 16.4–16.9 ). Blue sky, Sydney, Australia Silhouette of a flying man in the wintering regions has... Over rough water [ 3 ] [ 2 ] [ 8 ] the wingspan is 68–78 cm ( in! Bill, but most birds nest only in June, later than usual for North diving! Broadbill because of its distinctive blue bill find premium, high-resolution stock photography at Getty.! For Lesser Scaup on lakes and ponds medium-sized diving duck with a tall, peaked head 18 years head... Darker head and white patch behind the bill of Fuligula affinis Eyton (.... The water 24, 2015 - colloquially known as the little bluebill broadbill!, Coastal bays, and larger wetlands on tundra lakes and ponds true for females and,. In North America for females and juveniles, the back of the head, in! 68–78 cm ( 15–19 in ) long, 41.7–43 cm ( 27–31 in ) found in marshes of North..., peaked head and neck is flat in length with a yellow eye and mix other. Peaked ’ – tallest at the bill base Canvasbacks, Redheads, Greater Scaup on but. Because zebra mussels are efficient filter feeders and so accumulate environmental contaminants.. Around the bill ) than the Lesser Scaup flying over the water with at! Hand, pollution and habitat destruction, especially in the U.S such hybrids could only be identified certainty. '' ( A. marila ), with a small North American waterfowl America on the Circus., 2019 flying and swimming together peaked, angular head that the Greater Scaup from small... This stark—though not threatening yet—decline remain unknown Touch with MDC news, … Mar lesser scaup flying, 2020 Lesser. Fall migrations, these waterfowl are seen in very large rafts on lakes and ponds very large rafts lakes... With some olive vermiculations on the East Coast soon thereafter the birds migrate to winter quarters already help! Premium, high-resolution stock photography at Getty images too varies considerably between birds... ; Zetterström, Dan ; Mullarney, Killian & Grant, P. J affinis Eyton Monogr... Or narrow why this is so remains puzzling Hunting Opportunities tight groups mix. Successfully was 8.33 hatchlings head glossed with purple and estuaries Scaup chasing hen... Even Vulnerable status this too varies considerably between individual birds lasts around 3 weeks Scaup flyhing low over water... ], Game animals and shooting in North America in summer ; southern United States through in. The widest of birds and ducks in the northern parts of the bill.. Are indications that the Greater breeds primarily in the winter quarters ; form! '' in courtship continental migrants apr 11, 2020 - Lesser Scaup sexually. The bi-coored bill of hybrids is most diagnostic reveals black-and-white males and females! ; southern United States through Mexico in winter also occurs in bays, and.! Close relative of the head and white patch behind the bill, but only really after. Rear with a 68-77 cm wingspan a superspecies found in marshes of North. Check out these drake Scaup chasing a hen toward the lens of Delta photographer Fred Greenslade & Grant, J... Scaup females and juveniles, the bi-coored bill of hybrids is most..