lesser scaup (Aythya affinis)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION

• Length: 12 inches Wingspan: 29 inches

• Small, compact diving duck

• Peaked crown

• Yellow eyes

• Blue bill with small black nail at tip

• Dark wing with dark tipped white secondaries and pale gray primaries

• Immature female similar to adult female, immature male is similar to       female in autumn, but acquires alternate plumage during winter

Adult male alternate:

• Alternate plumage worn from fall through early summer

• Glossy purplish head

• Black breast

• Whitish or pale gray flanks, white belly

• Whitish back with fine black vermiculations

• Black tail, upper- and under-tail coverts

Adult male basic:

• Similar to adult female

Adult female:

• Distinct white band around base of bill

• Dark brown body plumage

• Whitish belly

Similar species:

Adult male ring-necked duck similar in alternate plumage but has quite
different bill pattern, black back, grayer flanks and vertical white finger
just behind black breast. Greater scaup is very similar but has a more
rounded head, larger bill, dark-tipped white primaries and secondaries,
and glossy, greenish head as an adult male in alternate plumage. Female
greater scaup has more rounded head, a broader bill, and more white
flight feathers, and frequently has a distinct pale spot behind eye on side
of head.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status:N/A
Breeding Habitat:Wetland-open water
Nest Location:N/A
Nest Type:N/A
Clutch Size:6-15
Length of Incubation: 21-28 days
Days to Fledge:45-50
Number of Broods:1
Diet: Mostly green plant matter and seeds; lesser quantities of aquatic
invertebrates

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November Acc

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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