Lesser Scaup

Aythya affinis

Despite the bold black and white colours of male’s bodies, the colour of their bills has led Lesser Scaups to be affectionately nicknamed “bluebills”.

Habitat

Look for Lesser Scaups in wetlands across the prairies, in British Columbia, the northern United States, and up into the boreal forest of the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alaska. Winter takes them to coasts, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Food

Lesser Scaups eat mainly aquatic invertebrates, such as mollusks, insects, and crustaceans. However, they will eat aquatic plants and seeds on occasion.

Behaviour

Flicking their wings and tails, tossing their heads back, and swinging their bills, are all parts of courtship displays in spring. After mating, the female builds a nest on, or near, the water. She will lay 6 to 14 eggs. After hatching, the young leave the nest to begin swimming, diving, and feeding.

Conservation

Lesser Scaup numbers have fluctuated since the 1960s, but today they appear stable. Hunting, climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and development, may all play a part in their declines. Steps have been taken through the North American Waterfowl Management Plan to coordinate actions to help Lesser Scaup across their migration routes.

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