Greater Scaup

Greater Scaups prefer shallow coastal waters and freshwater lakes during the non-breeding season, where they can be found in large, sometimes mixed-species flocks. Their breeding habitat includes tundra ponds and coastal marshes in the Arctic, where they nest on the ground, concealed among vegetation. These ducks are social and gregarious outside of the breeding season, forming large flocks on wintering grounds.

The diet of the Greater Scaup is varied, consisting primarily of mollusks, aquatic insects, crustaceans, and plant matter, which they obtain by diving. Their ability to dive deep and forage in cold waters makes them well-adapted to their preferred habitats, playing a significant role in aquatic food webs by controlling invertebrate populations.

Reproduction for the Greater Scaup begins with the return to their northern breeding grounds in the spring, where females lay 5 to 11 eggs in a well-concealed nest. Incubation lasts about 24 to 28 days, with the female solely responsible for nurturing the eggs. Chicks are precocial, able to swim and feed themselves shortly after hatching, though they remain under the care of the female until they are ready to fly.

The Greater Scaup is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its populations are closely monitored due to concerns over habitat degradation, pollution, and the impacts of climate change on their breeding and wintering grounds. Conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation, pollution control, and monitoring population trends to ensure the sustainability of this species. The Greater Scaup's wide range and adaptability have helped it maintain stable populations, but continued vigilance is necessary to address potential threats.