Lesser Scaup

Aythya affinis

Also known as:Little Bluebill, Broadbill

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

38-46 cm (15-18") Common, especially inland. Lakes, marshes, ponds, bays. Diving duck.

Male: dark head may show purplish gloss; pale bluish-gray bill; dark breast and rear end; white sides; gray back. Best told from male Greater Scaup by head shape - peaked at top, and by smaller bill.

Female: dark brown overall, darker on back than sides. White patch encircles face at base of bluish bill. Best told from female Greater Scaup by head shape - peaked at top, and by smaller bill.

In flight: white belly and underwings contrast with dark breast and dark undertail coverts; bold white inner wing stripe usually does not extend to wing tips.

Song: whistles, quacks, quack or "scaup".

Details in the field

Photo gallery

4 photos

Credit: Rick Leche

Credit: Carol Foil

Credit: Ómar Runólfsson

Credit: Larry Bond

Watch and learn

Videos

1 video

P1340887 2012-12-01 13.17.34 STX95 + 20mm, Lesser Scaup playing the dive and pop-up game

Credit: Tara Tanaka

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Lesser Scaup (Female)

1 rule

Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 5

In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour was the SIDE ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Short · Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: Light area between the bill and the eye · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: White or light gray · Yellow or olive · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Duck or Goose-like

result:753-lesser-scaup-female:1:1 Source: 753 Lesser Scaup (Female), row 1

Lesser Scaup (Male) )

1 rule

Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 5

In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour was the SIDE ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Short · Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: White or light gray · Yellow or olive · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Duck or Goose-like

result:752-lesser-scaup-male:1:1 Source: 752 Lesser Scaup (Male), row 1