Photo: Judy Gallagher / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Waterbirds

Lesser Scaup

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba Birds of New Brunswick Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Nova Scotia Birds of Northwest Territories Birds of Nunavut Birds of Ontario Birds of Prince Edward Island

By family

Ducks, Geese & Swans of Alberta Ducks, Geese & Swans of British Columbia Ducks, Geese & Swans of Manitoba Ducks, Geese & Swans of New Brunswick Ducks, Geese & Swans of Newfoundland and Labrador Ducks, Geese & Swans of Nova Scotia Ducks, Geese & Swans of Northwest Territories Ducks, Geese & Swans of Nunavut Ducks, Geese & Swans of Ontario Ducks, Geese & Swans of Prince Edward Island

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The Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) is a member of the Anatidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 819 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
Genus Aythya
Species affinis

Where it lives

Southwestern Alaska mainland to California, west-central Quebec and western Minnesota

North America

Quick facts

Weight: 819 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Lesser Scaup hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.

Migration

The Lesser Scaup is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) belongs to the Anatidae family of the order Anseriformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA sw Alaska mainland to California, wc Quebec and w Minnesota.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 819 g, with a wing length of about 19.8 cm and a tail of around 5.3 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 5.1 million km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Lesser Scaup?

The Lesser Scaup is a large bird that weighs around 819 g.

Where does the Lesser Scaup live?

The Lesser Scaup is found across North America with a range covering NA sw Alaska mainland to California, wc Quebec and w Minnesota, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Lesser Scaup belong to?

The Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.

What does the Lesser Scaup eat?

The Lesser Scaup hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Lesser Scaup migrate?

The Lesser Scaup is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

Is the Lesser Scaup endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

How large is the Lesser Scaup's range?

The Lesser Scaup has a mapped global range of about 5.1 million km².