Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 15.4–18.1 in
39–46 cm - Wingspan
- 26.8–30.7 in
68–78 cm - Weight
- 16–38.4 oz
454–1089 g
Other Names
- Petit fuligule, Petit morillon (French)
- Pato boludo-menor, Pato del medio (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The Lesser Scaup is a regular, if relatively uncommon, visitor to Hawaii, and is the third most abundant duck in the state. Only the Hawaiian Duck actually breeds there.
- An adult Lesser Scaup may pretend to be dead (immobile with head extended, eyes open, and wings held close to body) when grasped by a red fox.
- Lesser Scaup chicks are capable of diving under water on their hatching day, but they are too buoyant to stay under for more than just a moment. By the time they are 5 to 7 weeks old they are able to dive for 2-25 seconds and swim underwater for 15-18 meters (50-60 ft).
Habitat
Lake/Pond
Found on lakes and ponds. Winters in fresh or brackish water.
Food
Insects
Clams, snails, crustaceans, aquatic insects, seeds, and aquatic plants.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 6–14 eggs
- Egg Description
- Pale to dark olive or greenish buff.
- Condition at Hatching
- Downy and eyes open. Leave nest as soon as they are dry. Feed themselves immediately.
Nest Description
Bowl of grasses or other vegetation, lined with down. Placed on ground or in mound of vegetation over water.
Nest Placement
Ground
Behavior
Surface Dive
Dives under water to capture food.
Conservation
Least Concern
Common. The continental population of breeding Lesser Scaup exhibits large yearly fluctuations. There has been a marked recent decline in populations.
Credits
- Austin, J. E., C. M. Custer, and A. D. Afton. 1998. Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis). In The Birds of North America, No. 338 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.