Birds of the Upper Cumberland Region: Species Accounts

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)

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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 2002–2003 to 2011–2012 follow:

Habitat: x

YardWatch Results 2003 and 2004: No registrations.

Remarks: Distinguishing 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.

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.

Literature Cited