Key information
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.
What they eat:
Shellfish, crustacea and small insects.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 42-51cm
- Wingspan:
- 67-78cm
- Weight:
- 0.8-1.3kg
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 1-2 pairs
- UK wintering:
- 5,200 birds
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Scaup (male)
Scaup (female)
