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Lesser Scaup:
Two scaup species live in North America: the Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) prefers salt water and is found in America and Eurasia, while the Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) prefers freshwater and is found only in North America. The Lesser Scaup is one of the most abundant and widespread of the diving ducks in North America. He breeds from Alaska and western Ontario southward to Minnesota, northern Colorado, and very northern California. He winters across the United States where water is open, and southward through the Caribbean and Central America to northern South America.
-- Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" website, 2009
The Name:
According to Nuttall and Chamberlain (1896):
"Authors differ as to the origin of the name given to these birds, some referring it to their fondness for mollusks, while others think the cry is responsible for the name, which sounds like the word "scaup", delivered by a harsh voice in a screaming tone. The cry is exceedingly discordant."
-- Source: Thomas Nuttall and Montague Chamberlain, "A Popular Handbook of the Ornithology of Eastern North America", published in 1896
The name "Scaup" comes from a Scottish word "scalp" which means mussel beds, a favourite food of the Scaup duck.
-- Source: "TheWesternIsles.co.uk" website, 2009
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Westmoreland Park, Portland, Oregon ...
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Lesser Scaup, male, Westmoreland Park, Portland, Oregon.
Image taken December 5, 2009.
Canon Rebel XSi, 200z w/1.4.
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Click image to enlarge
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Lesser Scaup, male, Westmoreland Park, Portland, Oregon.
Image taken December 5, 2009.
Canon Rebel XSi, 200z w/1.4.
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Click image to enlarge
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Lesser Scaup, female, Westmoreland Park, Portland, Oregon.
Image taken December 5, 2009.
Canon Rebel XSi, 200z w/1.4.
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Click image to enlarge
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Lesser Scaup, female, Westmoreland Park, Portland, Oregon.
Image taken December 5, 2009.
Canon Rebel XSi, 200z w/1.4.
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Columbia River near Portland International Airport ...
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Click image to enlarge
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Lesser Scaup, male, Columbia River near Portland International Airport.
Image taken April 16, 2009.
Canon Rebel XSi, 300z.
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Click image to enlarge
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Lesser Scaup, male, Columbia River near Portland International Airport.
Image taken April 16, 2009.
Canon Rebel XSi, 300z.
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Click image to enlarge
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Lesser Scaup, female (left) and male (right), Columbia River near Portland International Airport.
Image taken April 16, 2009.
Canon Rebel XSi, 300z.
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Click image to enlarge
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Lesser Scaup, male (left image), and Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup (right image), Columbia River near Portland International Airport.
Weather was cold with heavy winds, starting to drizzle.
Image taken February 28, 2009.
Canon EOS 40d, 400mm.
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King's Pond, Vancouver, Washington ...
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Lesser Scaup, male (middle right) with 3 Wood Ducks, King's Pond, Vancouver, Washington.
Late afternoon, weather was mild with heavy overcast, but no rain.
One American Coot in the background.
Image taken January 2, 2010.
Canon Rebel T1i, 300z.
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Ridgefield NWR, Washington ...
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