Greater Scaup
Aythya marila
Also known as: Scaup
Habitat
Aquatic
Diet
Invertebrate
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
1.0 kg
About This Species
A diving duck of large lakes, estuaries and coastal bays in winter, typically seen in tight rafts well out from shore, diving in near-unison for molluscs and aquatic plants. Males show a rounded dark head with a green sheen, a pale grey back and a black-tipped bill, distinguishing them from similar diving ducks in good light. Winter is the best season, with calm, clear mornings on open water giving the clearest scope views.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- View rafts from shore or a hide rather than approaching by boat, since diving ducks that repeatedly dive or scatter are expending energy needed for winter survival.
- Waterfowl protections exist across most of its wintering range, but hunting seasons and legal status vary by jurisdiction, so confirm local rules if in doubt.
- Give feeding and roosting flocks a wide, quiet berth, especially in cold weather when energy reserves are most stretched.
LCAvesAnseriformesAnatidae
Seasonal Activity
1,395,837 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
Traits
- Diet
- Invertebrate
- Foraging
- Aquatic
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 1.0 kg
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.