The Lesser Scaup is often mistaken for its cousin, the Greater Scaup, but it is slightly smaller with a more peaked head. These "bluebills," as hunters often call them, are renowned for their remarkable diving abilities and extensive migration patterns.
In regions like California, the Lesser Scaup relies on a variety of water bodies, ranging from freshwater lakes to coastal estuaries.
: Their nickname comes from their distinctive bluish-gray bills, which stand out against their dark heads and white flanks. b_094.mp4
: They feed primarily by diving underwater to forage for aquatic insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Their large feet act like paddles to propel them through deep lake waters.
: Because they rely on healthy aquatic ecosystems, their population health is often a key indicator of water quality and the abundance of invertebrates in their habitat. The Lesser Scaup is often mistaken for its
: They primarily breed in the boreal forests and parklands of Canada and Alaska, nesting in tall vegetation near water to hide from predators.
: These ducks are among the last to migrate south in the fall and some of the first to return north in the spring, often traveling in massive flocks known as "rafts." 📍 Habitat and Conservation : Their nickname comes from their distinctive bluish-gray
Lesser Scaup Range - CWHR B094 [ds1429] * MAP. * HTML. * ArcGIS GeoServices REST API. * CSV. * ZIP. * GeoJSON. * KML. California Open Data (.gov) Dataset - California Open Data