There was a time when the scaups were among the most abundant of all ducks, especially in the Mississippi Flyway. However, in recent years their numbers have dropped. Scaup numbers were down eight percent in 2000-2001, and 31 percent below the long-term average (since 1955). The reason for the overall drop is still uncertain.

     There are actually two types—the lesser and the greater. The greater is normally, but not always, larger— up to 2-1/2 pounds. The two will interbreed which results in variations. Lessers average about 1-3/4 pounds. The lesser scaup drake has a dark head that shines purplish in the sun, but sometimes mixed with green, while the head of the greater scaup drake shines green. Both appear black without reflecting sunlight.

     Both species have white bellies, black chests and rear ends, grayish flanks and backs. The greaters tend to show more white. The females are basically dark brown with white face patches. To the less perceptive, hen scaups are occasionally confused with other ducks with white head and wing markings such as goldeneyes, buffleheads and hooded mergansers. The bills of both species are bluish or bluish-gray. They have white speculums and the white extends into the primaries of the greater, which is the best way to tell them apart, other than bill width. Among their common names are bluebill, broadbill, or blackhead. 

     The scaups are active and restless ducks that fly low over the water when moving from one spot to another. Flying in tight pigeon-like flocks with trailing lines of stragglers, flocks will rise up from the water in unison from time to time, as if to get a better look of their surroundings. They are swift, erratic fliers, with quick wing beats typical of diving ducks. When migrating they fly high in swarm-like flocks. Their calls are either a quiet “purring” sound, or sometimes they will utter a sharp “scaup” call when startled or threatened.

     “Bluebills” are hardy birds that seemingly almost have to be forced south by winter. They gather in large rafts on their wintering grounds, favoring large open water bays and wide rivers, although they will visit large marshes. Like other diving ducks they must run over the water to gain the necessary speed to become airborne. They dive for their food, which is mainly a variety of aquatic plants such as widgeon grass, or wild celery as well as small mollusks and crustaceans. They feed mainly in water 5 to 6 feet deep but are capable of diving 20 feet deep or more. Scaups are late-breeders with egg-laying first completed in mid-June. The nest is built in grasses but near water. Eleven eggs are a normal clutch. The young are on the wing by late-September or early-October. 

     Beginning the last week in October and early November, look for them especially on the fresh and brackish water portions of the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers to the north and Chesapeake Bay around the freshwater-brackish water inlets. They’ll also be seen on Lakes Anna, Western Branch, Whitehurst, Lee Hall, Burke and a variety of other freshwater lakes, and inland on other large rivers. Greater scaup may inhabit more saline waters. “Bluebills” will be with us until late January and early February when they move back north to breed. 

© 2001 Carl “Spike” Knuth 2001 All Rights Reserved.