greater scaup
Quick Summary
The greater scaup (Aythya marila) is a species of diving duck belonging to the genus Aythya. Also known as the big bluebill, it breeds across Eurasia and much of the Nearctic region. It is a popular game bird, measuring approximately 38–51 cm (15–20 inches) in length. Male greater scaup have dark breasts and grayish backs, with a dark green head. Females are brown with white patches around their blue bills. Their diet primarily consists of clams. The greater scaup is difficult to distinguish from the lesser scaup (A. affinis) in the field, though in flight, a white stripe on the rear of the wing extends almost to the wingtip in the greater scaup, while it only extends halfway in the lesser scaup.1
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pochardIn the greater scaup (A. marila), a white stripe extends nearly to the wing tip; in the lesser scaup (A. affinis), the wing stripe is about half as long. Scaups gather in huge flocks offshore in winter and dive for shellfish (hence scaup, from scallop).
Read MoreIn the greater scaup (A. marila), a white stripe extends nearly to the wing tip; in the lesser scaup (A. affinis), the wing stripe is about half as long. Scaups gather in huge flocks offshore in winter and dive for shellfish (hence scaup, from scallop).
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scaupThe greater scaup (A. marila), also called the big bluebill, breeds across Eurasia and most of the Nearctic region. The lesser scaup (A. affinis), a New World species also known as the little bluebill, breeds across the northwest quadrant of North America. In the New World…
Read MoreThe greater scaup (A. marila), also called the big bluebill, breeds across Eurasia and most of the Nearctic region. The lesser scaup (A. affinis), a New World species also known as the little bluebill, breeds across the northwest quadrant of North America. In the New World…
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