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Birds by name

Scaup

Conservation status: Red

Scaup are diving ducks with a resemblance to tufted ducks. Males have black heads, shoulder and breast, white flanks, grey back and a black tail. Females are brown, with characteristic white patches around the base of the bill. In flight they show white patches along the length of the trailing edge of the wing. Only a handful breed in the UK every year, making them our rarest breeding duck.

Overview

Latin name

Aythya marila

Family

Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Where to see them

Best looked for in winter on estuaries such as the Dee in Cheshire, the Solway Firth, the Firth of Forth and the Moray Firth. Also, look on enclosed waters such as Lough Neagh in Ireland. A small number occur inland on deeper waters, where they associate with pochards and tufted ducks.

When to see them

Mainly in winter, from late October to March.

What they eat

Shellfish, crustacea and small insects.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-1-5 pairs5,200 birds-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Lauri Hallikainen, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Scaup

Scaup - female
  • Colouring: Female
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, white, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, blue
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

Scaup (male)

Scaup - male
  • Colouring: Male
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: black, white, grey, green
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, blue
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

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