Lesser Scaup: a two-minute wildlife lesson

On the Lake · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. North America has more lesser scaup than any other kind of diving duck.
2. It dives down and sifts through the mud on the bottom, hunting for mussels, clams and the seeds of water plants.
3. When zebra mussels spread through Lake Erie, lesser scaup changed their migration routes to feast on them.
4. Lesser scaup nest late: most wait until June. Several females may lay in the same nest, and one held as many as 26 eggs.
5. In winter, lesser scaup may even settle on lakes in city parks, as long as nobody bothers them.

The quiz

1. Which diving duck has the largest population in North America?

• The lesser scaup (correct)
• The surf scoter
• The redhead
• The ring-necked duck

No other North American diving duck is as numerous.

2. How does the lesser scaup mainly find its food?

• By catching insects in the air
• By sifting through bottom mud after diving (correct)
• By grazing on land
• By stealing from gulls

It mostly dives and sifts through the mud on the bottom.

3. Why did lesser scaup change their migration routes near Lake Erie?

• To avoid boats
• To find nesting cliffs
• To eat zebra mussels (correct)
• To follow warmer winds

They shifted their routes to take advantage of zebra mussels in Lake Erie.

4. How could a single lesser scaup nest hold up to 26 eggs?

• The eggs were very tiny
• The male laid some too
• The nest was used for ten years
• More than one female laid eggs in it (correct)

Such big clutches come from more than one female.

5. Where might lesser scaup spend the winter if left in peace?

• On lakes in parks (correct)
• In caves
• On mountain glaciers
• In the desert

They may winter on park lakes as long as they are not harassed.

More about the Lesser Scaup

Same week

All lessons

Nature documentaries