lesser scaup

lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) [female] [male]
Photo provided by SteveByland/pond5.com

FEATURES
The lesser scaup averages 15 to 18 inches in length (tail tip to bill tip in preserved specimen). This bird has a white stripe of feathers on the back edge of the wing that is visible when it flies. The male scaup has a blue bill, purple head feathers, black chest feathers and black tail feathers. All other areas on the male have light gray feathers with small, dark bars. The female has dark brown feathers with a white area between the bill and the eye.

BEHAVIORS
The lesser scaup is a common migrant, an uncommon winter resident and a rare summer resident in Illinois. This diving duck may be seen on lakes, ponds and sewage lagoons during migration. Spring migrants begin arriving in Illinois in late March and April. The males move through before the females. Summers are spent in Canada and Alaska. Fall migration through Illinois starts in September. The lesser scaup winters in Florida and Louisiana. A few of these birds may winter in Illinois if open water is present. The scaup eats snails, mussels, mayflies and aquatic plants. It makes a “quack” or “scaup” sound.

Populations of this species have declined tremendously. Accumulation of contaminants, climate and habitat changes in its breeding range in northern North America and decreased quantity and quality of food in its winter and spring migration areas may all be factors in the decline.

​Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae