Yellow eyes
This Lesser Scaup was checking me out as I took the photo.
It was taken west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada on s sunny summer evening.
is a small North American diving duck that migrates south as far as Central America in winter. It is colloquially known as the little bluebill or broadbill because of its distinctive blue bill. The origin of the name scaup may stem from the bird's preference for feeding on scalp—the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels; however, some credit it to the female's discordant scaup call as the name's source.
Compared to other waterfowl, Lesser Scaup are stragglers when it comes to migration. They are often one of the last ducks to move south after breeding, sometimes staying on the breeding ground until things start freezing up. They're also one of the last species to head back north from the wintering grounds.
- Aythya affinis
Yellow eyes
This Lesser Scaup was checking me out as I took the photo.
It was taken west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada on s sunny summer evening.
is a small North American diving duck that migrates south as far as Central America in winter. It is colloquially known as the little bluebill or broadbill because of its distinctive blue bill. The origin of the name scaup may stem from the bird's preference for feeding on scalp—the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels; however, some credit it to the female's discordant scaup call as the name's source.
Compared to other waterfowl, Lesser Scaup are stragglers when it comes to migration. They are often one of the last ducks to move south after breeding, sometimes staying on the breeding ground until things start freezing up. They're also one of the last species to head back north from the wintering grounds.
- Aythya affinis