Lesser Scaup

The Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) breeds from central Alaska and central Canada to northwest USA, and in winter lives in north South America, West Indies, and Hawaii. It prefers freshwater marshes, lakes, and sloughs. Adults are 43 cm (17 inches) in height and 800 g in weight. Its head is black with purple gloss.

Chest, tail-coverts, and tail are black. Rest of the body plumage is white. Bill pale bluish with white tip. It feeds on aquatic plants, snails, insects, and small fishes.