Greater Scaup Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Lesser Scaup
Breeding male
Lesser Scaup usually shows a peak at the back of the head, while Greater Scaup has a more smoothly rounded head.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 04, 2011Similar Species
Lesser Scaup
Female
Lesser Scaup usually shows a peak toward the rear of the crown and a flatter back of the neck than Greater Scaup, which has a more smoothly rounded head.
© Alix d'Entremont | Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, March 18, 2014Similar Species
Lesser Scaup
Breeding male
In flight, Lesser Scaup have a shorter wingstripe, with less white extending into the primaries than Greater Scaup.
© Suzanne Labbé | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, May 04, 2017Similar Species
Ring-necked Duck
Breeding male
Male Ring-necked Ducks have a black back and a white spur on the side that Greater Scaup lack. They also have a white ring on the bill.
© Ryan Schain | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, March 11, 2012Similar Species
Ring-necked Duck
Female
Females have a white-ringed bill and a white eyering that female Greater Scaup lack.
© terence zahner | Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 05, 2017Similar Species
Redhead
Breeding male
From a distance note grayer sides than Greater Scaup.
© Greg Gillson | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 22, 2015Similar Species
Redhead
Female
Paler overall than female Greater Scaup.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, January 29, 2005Main Species
Greater Scaup
Male
Medium-sized diving duck with an evenly rounded head and a yellow eye. Dark head, chest, and rear contrasts with white sides and gray back. Greenish iridescence on head only visible with ideal lighting.
© Frank King | Macaulay LibraryNewfoundland and Labrador, April 12, 2019Female
Medium-sized diving duck with rounded head and fairly heavy, broad bill. Warm brownish overall, with white facial patch next to bill and a yellow eye.
© Mark Scheuerman | Macaulay LibraryTexas, January 28, 2017Breeding male
Found on large bodies of water around the Great Lakes and coastal areas in the United States. Note the round-headed look with the head peaking closer to the rear.
© Keith Blomerley | Macaulay LibraryHöfuðborgarsvæði, June 09, 2019Not all videos have sound
Immature male
In flight, all plumages have a white wing stripe that extends into the primaries, nearly to the tip of the wing.
© Chris Wood | Macaulay LibraryNew York, February 08, 2009Eclipse male
Large diving duck with a rounded head and a yellow eye. Nonbreeding males have brownish gray back and flanks.
© John Reynolds | Macaulay LibraryNewfoundland and Labrador, August 03, 2016Female
Medium-sized diving duck with a rounded head. Rich brown overall, with white patch next to bill and, in summer, often a pale "ear" patch toward the back of the head.
© Claudia Brasileiro | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, September 17, 2013Male
Medium-sized diving duck with a broad, black-tipped bill. At close range, gray back is finely marked with black lines. Greenish iridescence on head is only visible in ideal lighting.
© Alix d'Entremont | Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, March 06, 2015Male (with Redhead)
Often flocks with other diving ducks, especially in winter and migration. Pale gray back and white sides are distinctive from a distance.
© Andrew Aldrich | Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, March 13, 2017Habitat
Flocks winter mainly on saltwater bays and estuaries; also on Great Lakes and other large freshwater lakes that stay ice free in winter.
© Mike Schanbacher | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, January 30, 2014Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae)
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