Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis (Eyton, 1838)
AY
LESSC
2050
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
Difficult to separate from the more familiar (Greater) Scaup, so the first accepted record of this rare visitor from North America was only in the 1980s. Most arrive in winter but several individuals have stayed on beyond this.
Lesser Scaup chicks are capable of diving under water when they hatch but are too buoyant to stay under. By the time they are five to seven weeks old they can dive for up to 25 seconds and swim underwater for 50 to 60 feet.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Lesser Scaup
BTO RECORDS
BTO RECORDS
Identification
Lesser Scaup identification is often difficult.
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Staffordshire, 1987 |
DISTRIBUTION
This species is a rare vagrant and was recorded during Bird Atlas 2007–11 as shown on the map.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 31 |
| % occupied in winter | 1 |
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
This vagrant has been recorded in several atlases so we have been able to map distribution changes. However, as a rarity these may not show a consistent pattern of change.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
SEASONALITY
Lesser Scaup is a rare vagrant, mostly recorded in winter.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Lesser Scaup, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: AY | 5-letter code: LESSC | Euring: 2050 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Effects of grazing and inundation on pasture quality and seed production in a salt marsh
- Black terns benefit from cattail management in the northern Great Plains
- Clutch size and nesting sites of the mandarin duck Aix galericulata
Read more studies about Lesser Scaup on Conservation Evidence >
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