Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
Drawn from a named source but not independently confirmed. Double-check before relying on it.
Identification facts drawn from Cornell's All About Birds, Audubon's greater-vs-lesser scaup comparison, and Ducks Unlimited via live search synthesis across multiple independent sources.
Legal status: A legal migratory game bird in Virginia during the open duck season, generally grouped under a broader 'scaup' or general diving-duck sub-limit structure on DWR's regulations — verify the current season's exact scaup-specific limit directly, since this project's own direct DWR fetch for the current season did not isolate a scaup-only figure.
One of the most common diving ducks in North America, known to hunters as the 'bluebill' — regularly confused with the closely related greater scaup.
Field marks
- Head shape is the best mark separating this species from the very similar greater scaup: lesser scaup shows a peak toward the back of the crown ('top hat' shape with an evident tuft); greater scaup shows a more evenly rounded 'bowler-hat' head.
- In flight, white on the wing is limited mostly to the secondaries (not extending far into the primaries, unlike greater scaup).
- About 20% smaller-bodied than a greater scaup.
Male, female, and seasonal plumage
- Male
- Head shows purplish iridescence (greater scaup shows more green) in good light — a subtle mark, not reliable alone.
- Female
- Brown overall with a bold white patch at the base of the bill; amber-to-orange eye (greater scaup females show a brighter yellow eye).
- Habitat
- Prefers freshwater areas further inland compared to greater scaup, which favors saltwater — found on lakes, rivers, and brackish impoundments in the Hampton Roads region in winter.
- Feeding behavior
- Dives for aquatic invertebrates (especially mollusks) and some plant material.
- Flight profile
- Fast, direct flight typical of diving ducks, often in tight flocks low over open water.
Migration & seasonal context
A widespread North American migrant wintering along all U.S. coasts and larger inland water bodies; scaup numbers in a given location can vary noticeably year to year with water levels and food availability.
Similar species — check before you shoot
Identification alone never establishes that a bird may legally be taken. Confirm species (and sex, where a sub-limit depends on it) before shooting.
Ethical shot selection: Confirm lesser vs. greater scaup before counting a bird toward any species-specific limit that may apply in a given season — the head-shape and wing-pattern marks above are the most reliable, and are easier to judge before the shot than after.
This page is educational and does not certify that any specific bird may be legally taken at any specific time or place. Always confirm the current season, bag limit, and permit requirements at Licensing & Regulations →