Bird
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinisAlso known as Little Bluebill, Broadbill, Lesser Broadbill, Little Blackhead
Lesser scaup gather in massive winter rafts on open lakes and coastal bays, often numbering in the thousands and diving in coordinated waves to dredge the muddy substrate for invertebrates. Breeding pairs favor boreal parklands and prairie potholes, where hens conceal down-lined nests in dense upland vegetation near water. During courtship, drakes produce soft, whistling wheews accompanied by dramatic head-flicks and wing-snaps.
Diving BirdMigratoryAquatic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFreshwater Clams, Aquatic Snails, Amphipods
Predators
- Bald Eagle
- Peregrine Falcon
- Red Fox
ThreatsWetland degradation, lead shot and heavy metal contamination, oil spills, and reduced breeding productivity linked to climate shifts
HabitatsPrairie marshes, boreal wetlands, shallow lakes, reservoirs, sheltered coastal bays, and brackish estuaries
Life span10–18 years
Classification
- OrderAnseriformes
- FamilyAnatidae
- GenusAythya
- SpeciesAythya affinis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting scopes: Bring high-magnification optics to scan distant winter rafts on large open lakes and reservoirs.
- Head shape check: Look for a peaked crown and purplish gloss on the drake's head to separate it from the rounder, greenish-glossed Greater Scaup.
- Shoreline distance: Maintain quiet distance along shorelines, as feeding flocks will paddle offshore if approached abruptly.
Same Genus (c) James Weaver, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Same Genus (c) Elaine with Grey Cats, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Same Genus (c) Eric Habisch, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Tomas Broucek, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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