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Lesser Scaup

Aythya affinis

Photo by July Llanes
Published on Project Noah
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28.5437, -81.3736

Field Notes

Description:

The Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) is a small North American diving duck that migrates south as far as Central America in winter. It is colloquially known as the Little Bluebill or Broadbill because of its distinctive blue bill. The origin of the name scaup may stem from the bird's preference for feeding on scalp - the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels, however, some give it credit to the female's discordant scaup call as the name's source.[1] It is apparently a very close relative of the Holarctic Greater Scaup or "bluebill" (A. marila), with which it forms a superspecies.[2]

Species ID Suggestions

Lesser Scaup

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Aythya affinis

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Photographed
PublishedJanuary 18, 2012

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