Greater Scaup

Photos copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Iceland • May 2010

Bird name: Greater Scaup
Latin: Aythya marila
Other: Scaup
Family: Anatidae • Swans, Ducks, Geese
Range: Iceland, Northern Europe, some US.

Thanks to Alexia for sending this Scaup photo from Iceland. The Scaup is similar looking to its cousin the Tufted Duck, but is lightly patterned on the top of its back and has no crest. The female is duller and browner, with a white patch at base of bill.

Scaup breed in Iceland and northern Scandinavia and Russia in the summer, descending mostly to the north Atlantic coastline in the winter.