Lesser Scaup

Description: The lesser scaup closely resembles the greater scaup, apart from its smaller size and peaked crown. The drake’s head is dark and has a purple sheen; the bill is blue-gray with a black tip. The neck, chest, and rump are black, the belly is white, and the back and sides are mottled black-and-white. Hens are dark reddish-brown with darker heads and breasts and a white ring at the base of the bill. Both hens and drakes have white speculums and blue-gray legs and feet. Drakes are slightly larger than hens. Average size: 15-18 inches. Average weight: 1-2 ½ pounds.

Science: Lesser scaup breed in the prairie pothole region up through western Canada into Alaska. They may be found near prairie marshes and ponds and lakes with emergent vegetation. They form large flocks and migrate in September, often along with greater scaup. They winter in most coastal states on both coasts and in Mexico. They like coastal bays, estuaries, and large freshwater bodies of water. They eat mostly aquatic invertebrates like clams and snails, but will also eat some aquatic plants including wild celery. Although it’s difficult to be certain, experts believe their population is declining slightly.

Hunting: Specific calls and decoys for hunting lesser 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.