Lesser Scaup

Description:

Medium-sized diving duck. Breeding (Alternate) Plumage: Head, neck, upper back, and breast black; head with purplish iridescence. Back white, covered with thin, black wavy lines. Rump black. Belly white. Sides white, with some fine dark streaks. Undertail black. Nonbreeding (Basic) Plumage: Similar to female, but with only a few white feathers on face instead of a large white patch. Head and neck blackish brown. Breast dark with some white edging to feathers. Back brown with white edges to feathers. Underparts mottled brownish and white. Tail dark grayish.

Habitat:

Freshwater constructed wetlands at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park near Augusta (Richmond County), GA.