Birds of the Upper Cumberland Region: Species Accounts

 

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)

– 

Abundance: Very Uncommon during late fall, winter, and early spring (probably more abundant than the available records indicate because this species is difficult for most Regional observers to separate from the more abundant Lesser Scaup with which it often associates); recorded in 11 Regional counties, 5 in Kentucky and 6 in Tennessee (Map of UCR Distribution); data from the Regional bird-monitoring efforts are too few to determine a trend in the populations present in the Region (see also Regional Bird-Monitoring Plan).

Status: Winter Resident but probably fewer overwinter than occur during the migration seasons.

Regional High Count: X (   ).

Regional Extreme Dates:

    Early Fall: x (

    Late Spring: x (

Note: Fall arrival generally noticeable by 15 November; spring departure usually complete about 25 March.  Regional dates of earliest reported fall arrival and latest reported spring departure during winters from 20022003 to 20112012 follow:

Winter of... Early Fall Arrival Date Late Spring Departure Date
20022003 4 November --
20032004 6 November 17 March
20042005 1 November 31 March
20052006 16 November --
20062007 31 October 14 April
20072008 11 December 3 April
20082009 16 November 25 March
20092010 23 November 28 March
20102011 4 November 14 April
20112012 8 December 17 February

Habitat: x

YardWatch Results 2003 and 2004: No registrations.

RemarksDistinguishing Greater and Lesser scaups has proved to be a challenge for generations of field birders. In the case of the males of these species, due care should be taken to view a suite of field marks that can lead to a successful identification. The color of the sheen of the head of male scaups has long been known to be an unreliable field mark; at best it is a starting point for further observation. The roundedness of the head is a more reliable field mark, with male Lessers possessing a peak toward the top of the crown and male Greaters often revealing a crown that is entirely rounded or peaked toward the rear of the head; be sure, however, to determine roundedness when the scaup is at rest, not diving. The sizes of the bill and the nail of the bill may be helpful in determining the species of scaup one is observing as can the overall size of the bird, but these features are best used when direct comparison between the two species is possible. This photo [obtained by Rick Phillips in Sullivan County, Tennessee, 6 March 2014 and reproduced here with permission] depicts a male of each species with a fair degree of fidelity with regard to the field marks important to establish an i.d. Female scaups may separated based on the presence or absence of an auricular patch, as well as by the size of the white area around the base of the bill. Scaups should be left unidentified if not observed carefully under good conditions..

Check-lists of Birds for the Counties of the UCR

Check-lists of the birds of each county of the Upper Cumberland Region may be viewed by clicking on the links below. For each county, there are two check-lists: one list that shows the species that have been observed and where possible documented in the county within the larger list for the entire Region; and one list that includes only the species observed in the county with annotations for the date and observers for at least one sighting (the ultimate goal of the latter list will be to include annotations for the very first known Regional observation of each species in that county; this goal is probably one that will take many years to complete, if completion is even a possibility). To see if the species discussed in this species account has been observed in a county, click below or click on the link for the Map of UCR Distribution near the top of the page.

Barren Metcalfe Adair Russell Pulaski
Monroe Cumberland Clinton Wayne McCreary
Macon Clay Pickett Fentress Scott
Smith Jackson Overton Putnam Morgan
DeKalb White Cumberland
Warren Van Buren Bledsoe

Check-lists of Birds for Some Public Access Birding Sites of the UCR

Check-lists of the birds of some public access birding sites within the Upper Cumberland Region may be viewed via the links below. To see if the species dealt with in this species account has been observed within any of these sites, click on the appropriate link below. See the pages for each county within the Gazetteer for links to additional smaller public access birding sites with check-lists in progress.

Burgess Falls SP, Putnam/White Counties, TN Barren River Lake SP, Barren County, KY
Cumberland Mountain SP, Cumberland County, TN General Burnside Island SP, Pulaski County, KY
Edgar Evins SP, DeKalb County, TN  
Fall Creek Falls SP, Bledsoe/Van Buren Counties, TN Pulaski County Park, Pulaski County, KY
Frozen Head SNA, Morgan County, TN Waitsboro Recreation Area, Pulaski County, KY
Rock Island SP, Warren/White Counties, TN  
Standing Stone SP, Overton County, TN Big South Fork NRRA, KY and TN
   
Cane Creek Park, Putnam County, TN  
Roaring River Recreation Area, Jackson County, TN  

Literature Cited