Greater Scaup

The Greater Scaup, or in Europe just Scaup, Aythya marila is a small diving duck.

Adults have a blue bill and yellow eyes. Adult males have a dark head with a green sheen, a black breast, a light back, a black tail and a white bottom. Adult females have a white band at the base of the bill and a brown head and body. They are larger than the Lesser Scaup.

Their breeding habitat is lakes and bogs across northern North America, Europe and Asia. They are found on the tundra and at the northern limits of the boreal forest. They nest on the ground near water.

They are migratory and most winter in coastal waters.

These birds dive and swim underwater. They mainly eat mollusks and aquatic plants.