General

Greater Scaup: Large diving duck with glossy green-black head, white sides and belly, black tail, neck, breast and barred gray flanks and back. Female is brown overall with a white ear patch and bold white patch at base of black-tipped gray bill. Juvenile is brown overall with a darker brown head and gray bill.

Range and Habitat

Greater Scaup: Found in Alaska, northern Canada and along both north American coasts and sometimes along the gulf coasts. Prefers ponds, marshes and lakes.

Breeding and Nesting

Greater Scaup: Builds a nest of decaying plant material and down very close to the water and somtimes floating on water. Five to eleven dark olive buff eggs are incubated by the female for 24 to 28 days. One brood per year.

Foraging and Feeding

Greater Scaup: Eats mollusks and aquatic plants obtained by diving and swimming underwater.

Vocalization

Greater Scaup: Usually silent but can utter a loud "scaup." Breeding males make a soft "week, week, week" sound.

Similar Species

Greater Scaup: The Lesser Scaup is smaller and male has grayer sides.