Photo: Michal Klajban / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Waterbirds

New Zealand Scaup

Aythya novaeseelandiae

New Zealand Scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Australia & Oceania.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 13 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Australia Birds of the United Kingdom Birds of New Zealand Birds of Tasmania Birds of England Birds of Essex Birds of London Birds of Warwickshire

By family

Ducks, Geese & Swans of Australia Ducks, Geese & Swans of the United Kingdom Ducks, Geese & Swans of New Zealand Ducks, Geese & Swans of Tasmania Ducks, Geese & Swans of England

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The New Zealand Scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 682 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 novaeseelandiae

Where it lives

North and South Is. (New Zealand)

Australia & Oceania

Quick facts

Weight: 682 g
Diet: Aquatic plant-eaters
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Near Threatened

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The New Zealand Scaup feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Behaviour

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

Migration

The New Zealand Scaup is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The New Zealand Scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae) belongs to the Anatidae family of the order Anseriformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU North and South Is. (New Zealand).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 682 g, with a wing length of about 17.7 cm and a tail of around 4.9 cm.

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

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 163,000 km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the New Zealand Scaup?

The New Zealand Scaup is a large bird that weighs around 682 g.

Where does the New Zealand Scaup live?

The New Zealand Scaup is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU North and South Is. (New Zealand), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the New Zealand Scaup belong to?

The New Zealand Scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.

What does the New Zealand Scaup eat?

The New Zealand Scaup feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Does the New Zealand Scaup migrate?

The New Zealand Scaup is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the New Zealand 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 New Zealand Scaup's range?

The New Zealand Scaup has a mapped global range of about 163,000 km².