drake, showing gray back (California, USA; 2007-02-17)


Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis

Native Range: North America

Notes: similar to Greater Scaup but prefers freshwater habitats more so than large saltwater bays. Nicknamed ''bluebills". Often occur in large flocks called flotillas.

exercising (California, USA; 2008-02-09)
drake; yellow iris, blue bill, head sheen (California, USA; 2006-12-24)

breeding hen, with bold white face patch (California, USA; 2009-01-04)
subadult male (California, USA; 2007-01-28)
pair (California, USA; 2006-12-24)
drake in breeding plumage (California, USA; 2007-01-13)
hen (California, USA; 2007-02-11) flotilla (California, USA; 2007-01-07)
pair (California, USA; 2007-02-24) handsome breeding pair (California, USA; 2007-02-24)