About the Greater Scaup
The greater scaup, just scaup in Europe or, colloquially, "bluebill" in North America, is a mid-sized diving duck, larger than the closely related lesser scaup and tufted duck. It spends the summer months breeding in Iceland, east across Scandinavia, northern Russia and Siberia, Alaska, and northern Canada. During the winter, it migrates south to the coasts of Europe, eastern Asia, and North America.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The adult greater scaup is 39–56 cm (15–22 in) long with a 71–84 cm (28–33 in) wingspan and a weight of 726–1,360 g (1.601–2.998 lb). It has a light blue bill with a small black nail on the tip, yellow eyes, and is 20% heavier and 10% longer than the closely related lesser scaup. The male has a dark head with a green to purple sheen, a black breast, a light back, a black tail, and a white underside. The drake or male is larger and has a more rounded head than the female. The drake's belly and flanks are a bright white.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Israel, Luxembourg, Cambodia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Jersey, Dominican Republic, Guam.
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
RedheadAythya americanaThe redhead is a pochard, a diving duck specially adapted to foraging underwater.
Common PochardAythya ferinaThe common pochard is a plump, medium-sized diving duck, measuring 42–49 cm (17–19 in) in length, with a wingspan of 72–82 cm (28–32 in).
CanvasbackAythya valisineriaIt ranges from 48–56 cm (19–22 in) in length and weighs 862–1,588 g (1.900–3.501 lb), with a wingspan of 79–89 cm (31–35 in).
Side by side: Greater Scaup vs Redhead · Greater Scaup vs Long-tailed Duck · Common Pochard vs Greater Scaup · Canvasback vs Greater Scaup
Learn the Greater Scaup for real
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