Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

Common wintering species in North Carolina, especially along the coast.
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
Pond at NC Aquarium at Ft. Fisher, New Hanover Co., NC
25 Jan 2014

Head shape is important in scaup identification. Lesser Scaup heads tend to be more "pointed" or "peaked" toward the rear of the head. Head color in good light is generally purplish, but this can be variable and should never be the sole character for species identification.

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
Pond at NC Aquarium at Ft. Fisher, New Hanover Co., NC
25 Jan 2014

The black tip of the bill is often called the "nail" and is smaller in Lesser Scaup compared with Greater Scaup.

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
Pond at NC Aquarium at Ft. Fisher, New Hanover Co., NC
25 Jan 2014

With Hooded Mergansers


Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
Wilmington, New Hanover Co., NC
3 Jan 2015

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Created on ... Jan 28, 2014 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com