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Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
Migration Flyway
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About the Lesser Scaup
The lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) is a small North American diving duck that migrates south as far as Central America in winter. It is colloquially known as the little bluebill or broadbill because of its distinctive blue bill. The origin of the name scaup may stem from the bird's preference for feeding on scalp—the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels; however, some credit it to the female's discordant scaup call as the name's source. It is apparently a very close relative of the Holarctic greater scaup or "bluebill" (A. marila), with which it forms a superspecies.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Aythya affinis
- Family
- Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
- Order
- Anseriformes
Similar species
Other members of the ducks, geese, and waterfowl family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
- American Black Duck Anas rubripes
- American Wigeon Mareca americana
- Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri
- Baikal Teal Sibirionetta formosa
- Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus
- Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
- Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica
- Black Scoter Melanitta americana
- Black Swan Cygnus atratus
- Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
- Black-necked Swan Cygnus melancoryphus
- Blue-billed Teal Spatula hottentota
Know when the Lesser Scaup turns up near you
How rare bird alerts work →Gear for spotting Lesser Scaup
Optics
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Cameras
Cameras for Bird Photography
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