Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

3/16/02 Salt Marsh Interpretive Trail, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, Orange County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Lesser Scaup

SPECIES: Aythya affinis

FAMILY: Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)

LIFE LIST DATE: 3/16/2002

LOCATION: 1 male observed off of Salt Marsh Interpretive Trail, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, Orange County, CA

From Kaufman Focus Guide: Birds of North America & Stokes Field Guide to Birds-Western Region:

BEHAVIOR/HABITAT: Scaup or "bluebills" are very common in winter on lakes, bays. Lesser and Greater Scaups are very similar: males with black head and whitish back, females with sharp white patch around base of bill. Lesser is usually more common on inland lakes in winter, Grreater along the coast, but there is overlap. Lesser spends summer at marshes in forest or prairie regions. 

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 16 1/2"; Head shape is best mark: Lesser has peak at back of crown, slightly smaller bill than Greater Scaup. Male Lesser often shows purple gloss on head in good light. 

VOICE: Male gives faint whee-ooo note, a single-note whistle, and a quacking sound. Female makes a purring kwuh sound.