Greater Scaup

Description: The greater scaup closely resembles the lesser scaup, although it’s slightly larger and has a rounder head. The drake’s head bears a greenish sheen. It has a black chest and rump, a white belly, and a black-and-white mottled back and sides. The hen is dark brown with white patches on the face at the base of the bill. Both drakes and hens have blue-gray feet and legs, a blue-gray bill with a black tip, and a white speculum. Average size: 15 ½-20 inches. Average weight: 1 ½-3 pounds.

Science: Greater scaup breed across most of Alaska and the Yukon and some parts of Northern Canada. They favor tundra lakes and ponds. They begin migration in September, forming large flocks along with lesser scaup. They winter along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts. They’re found in large lakes, coastal bays, and estuaries. While they prefer to eat clams, they will also eat aquatic plants. Although it’s difficult to be sure, experts think the population is stable.

Hunting: Specific calls and decoys for hunting greater scaup are available. Scaup decoy well; a common hunting technique is to use long lines of decoys and a diver call to coax birds into shooting range. The eating quality is good: the meat is often not as strong-tasting as that of other divers.