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Lesser Scaup -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 16-18 inches | Wingspan: 24-32 inches | Seasonality: Migrant/Summer |
| ID Keys: Black pointed head with purplish sheen, white body with gray barring on back, black neck | ||
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Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
The more common of the two Scaup species to migrate through the state, as the Greater Scaup is generally more common along the coast. Can be differentiated from the Greater Scaup by it's pointed head. Many books say there's a difference in the sheen of the head between the two, with the Greater Scaup supposedly having a greenish sheen, and the Lesser Scaup having a purplish sheen. This is generally not a reliable way to differentiate between the two, as the photo of the male on the right shows.
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, marshes, rivers.
Diet: Omnivorous. Includes large amount of animal matter such as insects, snails, and crustaceans, as well as plant material such as pondweeds and their seeds.
Nesting: June through July
Breeding map: Breeding bird survey map
Song: Low whistled whew from mating males.
Migrations: Winters in the southern U.S. and along the coasts.
Similar Species: Greater Scaup, Ring-Necked Duck
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Lesser Scaup
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Lesser Scaup"
Photo Information: March 9, 2003 -- Along the Platte River near Kearney, Nebraska -- Terry L. Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Lesser Scaup photos.
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| South Dakota Status: Common migrant throughout the state, and uncommon summer breeding resident in the northeastern part of the state. Rare in winter. |
| Additional Lesser Scaup Photos | ||
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| Lesser Scaup 1 (Male) | Lesser Scaup 2 (Female) | Lesser Scaup 3 (Male in Flight) |
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| Lesser Scaup 4 (Pair taking Flight) | Lesser Scaup 5 (Male in Flight) | |
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
