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Aythya affinis
Lesser Scaup
Florida native
Lessor scaups are winter visitors to Florida, the southern United States, Mexico and Central America, being seen mostly on large lakes, reservoirs and estuaries. The breeding range is primarily Canada and the northern Rocky Mountain states.
These are medium-sized diving ducks that have a very slight tuft at the top rear of the head. The similar greater scaups have smooth rounded heads. All birds have dark heads, appearing iridescent-purple on males in the right light. Males also have white 'side panels' with black fore and aft and a speckled back appearing gray. Breeding females are dark brown overall, with slightly lighter back and sides darker fore and aft. Females at all stages will usually have a white patch of varying size on the side of the face at the base of the bill. Non-breeding females and immature birds are a lighter brown, slightly darker on the back.
Aythya affinis is a member of the Anatidae - Ducks, Geese and Swans family.
For more information on this species, visit the following link:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds page for this species
Date record last modified: Mar 03, 2025
