Wildlifeof China
Greater Scaup
Ducks, Geese & Grebes
Photo: (c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Aythya marila
Basic stats
Diet
Aquatic molluscs, plants and insects, taken by diving 0.5–6m (exceptionally 10m)
Habitat
Nests near water, typically on islands in northern lakes or floating mats of vegetation
Range
Breeds from Iceland east across Scandinavia, northern Russia and Siberia to Alaska and northern Canada; winters on the coasts of Europe, eastern Asia and North America
Clutch size
6–9 olive-buff eggs
Incubation period
24–28 days
The greater scaup spends the summer breeding from Iceland east across Scandinavia, northern Russia and Siberia to Alaska and northern Canada, and migrates south in winter to the coasts of Europe, eastern Asia and North America. Males average slightly larger than females, with a light blue-grey bill and yellow eyes. Females are mostly brown with white on the wing, a dull blue bill and a white patch on the face (Wikipedia, general species account).
Females lay six to nine olive-buff eggs that hatch in 24–28 days. It eats aquatic molluscs, plants and insects, diving to depths of 0.5–6m, exceptionally 10m. Nests are near water, typically on islands in northern lakes or on floating mats of vegetation. Birds form large 'rafts' that can number in the thousands (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Greater Scaup eat?
- Aquatic molluscs, plants and insects, taken by diving 0.5–6m (exceptionally 10m)
- What habitat does the Greater Scaup live in?
- Nests near water, typically on islands in northern lakes or floating mats of vegetation
- Where is the Greater Scaup found?
- Breeds from Iceland east across Scandinavia, northern Russia and Siberia to Alaska and northern Canada; winters on the coasts of Europe, eastern Asia and North America
- How many eggs does the Greater Scaup lay?
- 6–9 olive-buff eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Greater Scaup incubated?
- 24–28 days