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Diving ducks frequent large, deep lakes and rivers, as well as coastal bays and inlets. When launching into flight, most of this group patter along the water before becoming airborne. They feed by diving, often to considerable depths. Since their wings are smaller in proportion to the size and weight of their bodies, they have a more rapid wingbeat than puddle ducks.
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Greater Scaup
Aythya marila
At-a-Glance
• Type: Diving Duck
• Incubation: 24-28 days
• Clutch Size: 6-15 eggs
• Young Fledge: 35-42 days after hatching
• Typical foods: aquatic plants, mollusks, fish, and shellfish
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Description
The head, neck and breast of the greater scaup is dark and the bill is blue. The body is light colored at the middle and dark at ends. The female has a white splotch at the base of the bill. Except for the wing marks, the greater and lesser scaups appear nearly identical in the field. The light band near the trailing edges of the wing runs almost to the tip in the greater scaup, but only about halfway in the lesser.
Habitat and Habits
For the most part, greater scaup are not nearly as frequent as are lesser scaup, and occur in peak numbers on Lake Erie in winter. Greaters are rare to uncommon at best away from Lake Erie. They migrate late, sometimes just before freezeover. Flock movements are rapid, often erratic, and usually in compact groups. The drakes have a discordant call, and the hens are silent.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
The nest is a down-lined cup of grass that is concealed by marsh vegetation. |
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