In regions like California, the Lesser Scaup relies on a variety of water bodies, ranging from freshwater lakes to coastal estuaries.

: While still numerous, their populations have seen declines since the 1980s, prompting researchers to use datasets like B094 to track range changes and protect critical wetlands. 🦆 Summary Facts Description Common Name Lesser Scaup Scientific Name Aythya affinis Habitat Lakes, marshes, and bays Diet Aquatic invertebrates and seeds Key Identifier Peaked head and blue-gray bill Dataset - California Open Data

Lesser Scaup Range - CWHR B094 [ds1429] * MAP. * HTML. * ArcGIS GeoServices REST API. * CSV. * ZIP. * GeoJSON. * KML. California Open Data (.gov) Dataset - California Open Data

The Lesser Scaup is often mistaken for its cousin, the Greater Scaup, but it is slightly smaller with a more peaked head. These "bluebills," as hunters often call them, are renowned for their remarkable diving abilities and extensive migration patterns.

: Their nickname comes from their distinctive bluish-gray bills, which stand out against their dark heads and white flanks.

: These ducks are among the last to migrate south in the fall and some of the first to return north in the spring, often traveling in massive flocks known as "rafts." 📍 Habitat and Conservation

Lesser Scaup Range - CWHR B094 [ds1429] * MAP. * HTML. * ArcGIS GeoServices REST API. * CSV. * ZIP. * GeoJSON. * KML. California Open Data (.gov)