The Lesser Scaup is the most abundant diving duck in North America, with millions wintering on coastal bays and inland lakes. It has a peaked head compared to the rounder Greater Scaup. Large concentrations once occurred on Lake Erie, but populations have declined significantly. Its breeding grounds in interior boreal Canada are poorly surveyed.
Best time to see a Lesser Scaup
The best time to see a Lesser Scaup is January–April, when about 69% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 33,331 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Recent Lesser Scaup sightings near you
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