lesser scaup

This is a male. Both sexes are similar to Greater Scaup but distinguished with care by Lesser Scaup's narrower head as seen here. Also the bill has a smaller dark nail at the tip than Greater Scaup. This is a winter visitor to our area. Formerly more common, their numbers seem to have...

This is a female. Both sexes are similar to Greater Scaup but distinguished with care by Lesser Scaup's smaller head with slightly more peaked crown showing a small step or tuft in the feathering of the back of the head as seen here in profile. Note the back of the head is also straighter...

Bolsa Chica ecological preserve, Huntington Beach, California (1/1/21 approx 3:30) Hi everyone I was wondering if someone could please help me with this ID. I’m leaning one way but I want to make sure. Is this a lesser or greater scaup? Thank you!

Out for a casual swim.

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Female taking off. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Chambers County, Texas, USA. Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes Vegetational Area. Shoveler pond.

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Male. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Chambers County, Texas, USA. Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes Vegetational Area. Shoveler pond.

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Males, females, and first winter birds. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Chambers County, Texas, USA. Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes Vegetational Area. Shoveler pond.

Feeding time. Water feeding into the lake is churning up the water, creating the bubbles.

Not sure why this lone Lesser Scaup is here in NW FL. They do winter here but it's a little late now. does not appear to have any visible injuries and hangs out near neighborhood dock.

Hey, I forgot to post this guy.

There has been a mixed flock of ducks in Annapolis, MD. With so many duck it is hard to get close!

Another from the archives, I have been studying for exams and I have had no time to visit or go out. Soon hopefully.

I find this female to be just as pretty as the male, in her own way. She was acting like a partner to the male posted yesterday but I suppose that indicates non-breeding or a predated nest.

Adult male Aythea affinis at Lake Murray, San Diego, CA, 12-08-09, Canon EOS 7D 400/f5.6L. http://www.picturetrail.com/marysan

lesser scaup from robbie garnet hide

Here's the lesser. Or rather - A lesser. There were many, both greater and lesser, in a large, mixed "flotilla". Was wonderful to watch them, beauties that they all are.

this bird was hanging around with the captive birds at the big pen today,(it is the bird right of the tufted duck in the top left)

Lesser Scaup a vagrant here. Arrived during the cold weather and has stayed, so far.

A local rarity that I thought I'd share, not the best pic but I'll keep trying to get closer as long as it stays around. It sticks with the female tufty like glue but she doesn't seem interested (yet). I hope he's got his marriage visa in order if she says yes.......

When I spotted this Lesser Scaup (identified by the more markings on the side which I have cropped away), I got excited thinking that it may be a new species. It was shot in a Bird Sanctuary which is essentially a conservation area, so it can't be done by visitors, neither will a bander try to...