Fauna
Bird

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

Also known as Bluebill, Broadbill, Scaup

Greater scaup gather in massive winter rafts on coastal bays and estuaries, diving several meters beneath the surface to pluck mollusks from muddy bottoms. Breeding pairs disperse across Arctic tundra wetlands each spring, where females conceal well-insulated down nests in dense sedges near open water. Their swift flight and striking white wing stripes make them a classic silhouette over open saltwater along cold northern coastlines.

Diving DuckMigratoryAquatic
Greater Scaup reference1 / 7
(c) Tomas Broucek, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyBlue Mussel, Clam, Amphipod
Predators
  • Peregrine Falcon
  • Bald Eagle
  • Red Fox
ThreatsDegradation of wetland breeding grounds, oil spills, and heavy metal bioaccumulation
HabitatsArctic tundra lakes and bogs in summer; coastal bays, estuaries, and large open lakes in winter
Life span10–20 years
Classification
  1. FamilyAnatidae
  2. SpeciesAythya marila
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Optics: Use a spotting scope to scan open saltwater bays for large offshore rafts.
  • Identification: Note the smoothly rounded head profile and wide bill to distinguish from lesser scaup.
  • Distance: Remain on shoreline paths so resting winter flocks are not flushed into cold open water.
Related species
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