Greater Scaup

About the Greater Scaup

The larger, rounder-headed of the two scaup - a circumpolar diving duck that breeds on Arctic tundra and winters mostly on salt water, which is why it is far outnumbered inland in Texas by Lesser Scaup. Separating the two is a classic waterfowl identification test: Greater shows a smoothly rounded head with a green gloss, a broader bill, and white in the wing stripe extending well into the primaries. Winter rafts on Texas bays can hold both species side by side, the best classroom there is for learning them.