The Lesser Scaup is the most abundant diving duck in North America, with millions wintering on coastal bays and inland lakes. It has a peaked head compared to the rounder Greater Scaup. Large concentrations once occurred on Lake Erie, but populations have declined significantly. Its breeding grounds in interior boreal Canada are poorly surveyed.
Best time to see a Lesser Scaup
The best time to see a Lesser Scaup is January–April, when about 69% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 33,331 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Lesser Scaup? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Lesser Scaup sightings near you
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