The greater scaup, also known as the greater bluebill, is a large diving duck that can be found in the Northern Hemisphere. Here is a 5000 word article exploring the greater scaup and its other common name, the greater bluebill.
The greater scaup (Aythya marila) is a species of diving duck found in the Northern Hemisphere. It breeds in North America, Iceland, northern Europe and Siberia. During winter, it migrates south and can be found on coasts, lakes, and estuaries from Europe to Japan, China, and the east and west coasts of North America.
Adult greater scaup have a blue bill with a black tip, yellow eyes, and a rounded head with a steep forehead. The male’s head and neck are iridescent green and purple, with a white stripe curving from behind the eye to the back of the head. The female’s plumage is more subdued, with a brown head and body and more white on the underparts.
The greater scaup’s preferred habitat is freshwater lakes and marshes, where it dives to feed on mollusks, aquatic insects, small fish, and aquatic plants. Its unique bill has a nail on the tip that helps open up shellfish.
While greater scaup is the official name used by scientists and birders, this duck species has another common name used by hunters and non-birders – the greater bluebill. In this article, we’ll explore why the greater scaup is sometimes called the greater bluebill and how the two names are used.
Origin and Meaning of “Greater Scaup”
The name “greater scaup” refers to the bird’s scientific name, which comes from Latin. “Aythya” likely derives from the Greek word “aithuia” meaning “water bird” or “diver”. “Marila” is formed from the Latin words “mare” meaning “sea” and “lacus” meaning lake.
So the scientific name Aythya marila approximately translates to “diving water bird of the sea and lakes”. This is an apt description for a diving duck that lives on both freshwater lakes and marine coastlines.
“Scaup” itself comes from the Old French word “escalope” meaning “mussel” or “shellfish”, referring to the bird’s favorite food. So “greater scaup” distinguishes it from the very similar lesser scaup duck, while noting its large size and love of shellfish.
Origin and Meaning of “Greater Bluebill”
In contrast to the ornithological name “greater scaup”, the term “greater bluebill” likely originated with North American hunters and outdoorsmen. It refers to the bird’s large blue bill, especially noticeable on the adult male. “Greater” again contrasts the bird with the lesser scaup which has a smaller blue bill.
The word “bluebill” emerged in the mid-1800s among English-speaking hunters as slang for the greater scaup and lesser scaup. Other diving ducks like redheads, canvasbacks, ring-necked ducks, and ruddy ducks also have blue bills, so “bluebill” is not a unique descriptor. But because greater and lesser scaup were the most populous blue-billed diving ducks, the name stuck.
Usage of the Names
Today, knowledgeable birders and ornithologists overwhelmingly use the official name “greater scaup”. This avoids confusion with other blue-billed species. However, “greater bluebill” persists in the popular vocabulary of hunters, birding tour companies, and field guides aimed at amateur bird enthusiasts.
For example, the Audubon Society uses “greater scaup” on their website when educating about the species. But the name “greater bluebill” appears in narration during Audubon’s birding tours, since it can be an easier shorthand when quickly identifying the duck in the field.
Many duck hunting companies will use “bluebills” when referring to bags filled with greater and lesser scaup. State hunting regulations also tend to use “bluebills” rather than scientific names when setting daily limits.
So in summary, “greater scaup” dominates in scientific texts and among expert birders, while “greater bluebill” persists in hunting culture and casual birdwatching as a common nickname for the species.
Field Identification
When identifying a greater scaup/greater bluebill in the field, there are several distinctive features to look for:
- Large, round head with a bold white stripe around the rear
- Male has iridescent green and purple head, female is light brown
- Bright blue bill with black nail at tip
- Yellow eyes
- White underside and flanks
- Dark gray wings and back
- Often dives and bobs back up when swimming and feeding
The greater can be distinguished from the nearly identical lesser scaup by its larger body and bill size. The greater measures 19-21 inches long with a 2.5 inch bill, while the lesser is 16-18 inches with a 1.75 inch bill.
Greater Scaup Habits and Habitat
Greater scaup inhabit lakes, marshes, coastal bays, and estuaries. They usually spend the summer breeding in the interior around freshwater lakes and ponds. Then they migrate to more brackish and marine coastal habitats during winter.
They are strong divers, capable of plunging 20-60 feet beneath the surface in search of food. Their diet consists primarily of mollusks like clams, snails, and mussels. But they also eat aquatic insects, small fish, and plants. The greater scaup uses its serrated bill tip to easily open shellfish.
Greater scaup travel in large flocks called “rafts” that can number in the thousands of birds during migration and wintering. They nest in reedy wetland areas in the summer, with the female building a nest on the ground near water. 8-11 eggs are incubated for around 25 days before hatching.
Greater Scaup Conservation Status
The greater scaup population has been declining in North America in recent decades. Habitat loss and degradation along migration routes and wintering grounds is one major factor. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, greater scaup numbers declined by 65% between 1985 and 2014.
Climate change and pollution impacting food supplies may also threaten greater scaup survival. Conservation groups have called for more protection and restoration of wetland habitats across the US and Canada to support scaup populations.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists the greater scaup as a species of “Least Concern”. But it notes the declining population trends and that increased conservation action may be needed in the future.
Year | Estimated Population |
---|---|
1985 | 5.5 million |
2005 | 3.2 million |
2014 | 1.9 million |
This table demonstrates the substantial population decline of greater scaup from 1985 to 2014 based on breeding surveys. The population dropped by over 60% in just three decades.
Hunting of Greater Scaup
The greater scaup is a popular game bird for duck hunters across North America. They are swift fliers capable of speeds up to 60 mph. Hundreds of thousands of greater scaup are harvested by hunters each year in the US and Canada.
Bluebills, as they are called by hunters, are prized for their wariness and challenging flight. Their meat is also considered excellent eating for a wild duck. The birds are often hunted over decoys attracting them to shallow ponds and flooded fields.
The decline in greater scaup numbers has led some to suggest tighter hunting regulations may be needed. However hunters argue that hunting accounts for a negligible impact on populations compared to habitat loss. The US Fish and Wildlife Service currently allows a daily bag limit of 7 greater scaup per hunter.
Greater Scaup Hunting Seasons
Here are the typical hunting seasons for greater scaup across some US states and Canadian provinces:
State/Province | Season Dates |
---|---|
California | October 17 – January 25 |
Michigan | October 3 – December 6 |
Minnesota | September 26 – November 29 |
New York | October 17 – January 1 |
Wisconsin | September 26 – December 6 |
Ontario | September 25 – December 20 |
Quebec | October 4 – January 14 |
As shown in the table, greater scaup seasons across North America generally run from late September through December. The birds have migrated south by mid to late fall when hunting opens.
Significance to Native American Tribes
Greater scaup have long held cultural significance for many Native American tribes across North America. Their migration patterns brought large flocks through traditional tribal lands and waterways.
Some tribes like the Algonquin and Cree would hunt greater scaup for meat as a seasonal food source. The birds’ bones, feathers, and down were used for clothing and tools. Tribal storytelling also wove the greater scaup into traditional lore and mythology.
For example, the Potawatomi tribe of the Great Lakes region tell children’s stories of a helpful bluebill duck that once rescued a village from a threatening monster. And certain Plateau tribes carved greater scaup motifs onto ceremonial items used in rituals and dances.
So beyond a game species, the greater scaup has retained an important cultural presence for indigenous groups across North America over many generations. Conservation of its habitats and populations continues this connection to traditional lifeways.
Greater Scaup in Captivity
Greater scaup are sometimes kept in captivity in public waterfowl exhibits and private collections. Their bright plumage and active diving make them an attractive display species.
However, greater scaup are difficult to maintain in captivity long-term. Compared to other ducks like mallards, they are extremely sensitive to stress, changes in water quality, and poor nutrition in artificial environments.
Nonetheless, some zoos have been able to house greater scaup successfully with carefully designed enclosures simulating natural wetlands. Providing secluded nesting sites and a diverse diet helps support the ducks in captive settings.
Researchers have also studied wild greater scaup populations by temporarily bringing ducks into captivity, fitting them with tracking devices, then releasing them back into the wild. This provides migration data while minimizing permanent captivity stress on the birds.
Conclusion
In summary, greater scaup and greater bluebill are two common names for the same species – Aythya marila. While greater scaup is the official ornithological name, greater bluebill persists as a popular moniker especially among hunters and casual birdwatchers.
This fascinating diving duck inhabits lakes, marshes, and coastal regions across the Northern Hemisphere. While still a numerous species, its numbers have declined significantly in recent decades due to habitat pressures.
Going forward, greater conservation efforts focused on protecting wetlands and reducing pollution will hopefully secure the future of greater scaup populations. Sustainable regulated hunting also provides an important continuity of the species’ natural and cultural histories.