The only circumpolar diving duck, the Greater Scaup breeds across the tundra regions in North America and Europe. They congregate by the hundreds and thousands along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts during winter. Here, black-and-white males and chocolatey-brown females bob along on the waves.

Female. 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. Can be very difficult to tell from Greater Scaup.

Jan 19, 2017 · Greater Scaup tend to choose saltwater bodies, while Lesser Scaup are found in freshwater zones further inland. Still, there’s quite a bit of overlap in their ranges, especially in the summer when Greaters hang out in lakes and bogs, in addition to their regular seaside dives.

Jan 3, 2015 · Some female Greater Scaup may have a pale cheek patch in spring and summer. However, some female Lesser Scaup can have the same mark. Popular field guides vary in their description of this mark.

Nov 29, 2019 · Female Greater Scaup (Seaforth, Lancashire, 8 February 2005). The wing-bar on this flying Greater Scaup resembles that of Tufted Duck, but the white facial patch is strong and prominent, seemingly encircling the bill base, and the dark at the bill tip can be seen to be restricted to the nail.

Female leads young to water shortly after hatching; 2 or more broods may join, tended by 1 or more females. Young feed themselves, are capable of flight 40-45 days after hatching.

Females are brown overall, grayer on body in winter, with white patch at base of bill and yellow eye. Very similar to Lesser Scaup; note smoothly rounded head without tall peak, puffier cheeks, more extensive white stripe on wing in flight, and larger, broader bill.

The only circumpolar diving duck, the Greater Scaup breeds across the tundra regions in North America and Europe. They congregate by the hundreds and thousands along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts during winter. Here, black-and-white males and chocolatey-brown females bob along on the waves.

Feb 3, 2024 · When flying, the greater scaup shows a more rounded head protruding above a rounder, fuller body shape. The lesser appears flatter-headed with a thinner, more angular body profile in flight. The greater scaup is a slightly larger, chunkier duck overall, though the size difference is subtle.

Jan 12, 2022 · Male Lesser Scaup showing rear peaked head Female Greater Scaup showing rounded front loaded head. In addition to the head shape, bill size and characteristics are useful to reliably separate the species. Note the relatively greater width and depth of the Greater Scaup bill in the images above.