The greater scaup is a species of diving duck found across North America. It gets its name from the sound the males make during breeding season. The greater scaup has a very distinct call that helps observers identify it in the field. In this article, we will explore what a greater scaup sounds like, when and why it makes these vocalizations, and how its call differs from other waterfowl species.
Description of the Greater Scaup’s Call
The most recognizable sound of the male greater scaup is a rhythmic, cat-like “scaup, scaup” vocalization. This distinctive, squeaky call is produced during courtship displays and aggressive interactions. It is made by males when defending a mate or territory.
The call consists of a series of 5-10 high-pitched, two-noted yelps. The first note is louder and higher pitched than the second. There is a very brief pause between each pair of notes. To human ears, the call sounds like “skaup-a, skaup-a, skaup-a”. When several males are calling at once, it produces a cacophony of squeaky sounds.
Females also vocalize, but their calls are not as loud or complex. Females give a simple, mallard-like “quack” during courtship or to communicate with ducklings. The female greater scaup does not produce the distinctive “scaup, scaup” mating call.
Audio of the Greater Scaup Call
Here is an audio clip of the rhythmic, squeaky vocalizations of a male greater scaup:
As you can hear, the call consists of a rapid series of two-note yelps with a very brief pause in between. This vocalization is unique to the greater scaup drake.
When and Why Greater Scaup Call
Male greater scaups vocalize most frequently during breeding season, which occurs in late spring and early summer across their range. This coincides with pair formation and establishing breeding territories.
The “scaup, scaup” call serves several important functions during this time:
- Attracting females – The male’s call advertises his presence and fitness to potential mates.
- Defending territory – Males call to warn rival males away from their territory and chosen nest site.
- Bonding with mate – Vocalizations help the pair establish bonds and identity each other.
- Communicating with flock – Calling helps maintain group cohesion on crowded breeding lakes.
Males call most intensely when females first arrive at the breeding grounds. They defend an area of open water from competitors while courting potential mates. Their calls subside once they have secured a mate and breeding territory.
Outside of breeding season, greater scaups are mostly silent. They may make occasional contact calls or warning cries while migrating and wintering in large flocks. But the distinctive mating “scaup” call is only heard during spring and early summer while breeding.
Differences From Other Duck Species
The greater scaup’s squeaky, rapid call makes it very recognizable among North American waterfowl. Its vocalizations differ noticeably from the calls of some ducks it commonly associates with:
Mallard
- Female mallards have a loud, raspy quack that rises in pitch.
- Male mallards give a quieter, breathy call more like “raeb-raeb”.
Lesser Scaup
- The lesser scaup sounds similar but has a more muted purring or cooing quality.
- The lesser scaup’s call is lower pitched and slightly slower paced.
Bufflehead
- Male buffleheads have a high-pitched squeal descending in pitch.
- Female buffleheads have a growling purr much lower than the greater scaup.
Ring-necked Duck
- Male ring-necked ducks have a soft wheezy whistle, while females have a harsh “karr”.
- Neither sex makes a multi-noted rhythmic call like “scaup, scaup”.
The greater scaup’s rolled, squeaky mating call has no equivalent among North American ducks. After hearing it even once, it can be readily distinguished.
Identifying Greater Scaup by Call Alone
The unique vocalizations of the greater scaup make it possible to identify these ducks even without getting a visual. Here are some tips for recognizing greater scaups by call alone:
- Listen for a rapid series of high-pitched, squeaky yelping notes.
- Each call should be two syllables with the first note louder and higher pitched.
- There should be a very brief pause between the paired notes.
- Multiple birds calling together will sound like a jumbled chorus of squeaks.
- Listen during spring and summer when males are most vocal.
- Eliminate similar calls like the lesser scaup’s muted purring.
With practice, birders can learn to distinguish the scaup’s agitated squeaking even without seeing the ducks on a lake. This can be helpful for detecting the presence of greater scaups in dense vegetation or foggy conditions.
Mimicking the Call of the Greater Scaup
The unique vocalizations of the greater scaup provide an excellent opportunity for birders to practice reproducing the sounds of birds. Mimicking the calls can be a fun challenge and helps birders learn the nuances of avian sounds.
Here is advice for amateur birders to try imitating the “scaup, scaup” mating call of the male greater scaup:
- Use a squeaky voice, as if imitating a squeezy dog toy.
- Say “skaup” in this squeaky voice, holding the “k” sound briefly.
- Immediately repeat in the squeaky voice, but drop the pitch on the second “aup”.
- Add a very brief pause before squeaking “skaup-aup” again.
- Repeat this pair of squeaked notes in a rhythmic pattern several times.
- Bird in a group for the full effect of multiple “scaup” calls.
- Practice first thing in the morning when vocal cords are fresh.
With some squeaky experimentation, you’ll be scauping like a pro in no time! It’s a fun skill that will improve your birding abilities.
Conclusion
The male greater scaup’s repetitive “scaup-a, scaup-a, scaup-a” mating call is one of the most distinctive sounds of North American wetlands in spring and early summer. This unique vocalization serves to attract mates, defend territories, and communicate within breeding flocks. The rapid yelping call differs noticeably from the calls of related ducks like the mallard, bufflehead and ring-necked duck. With practice, birders can learn to recognize greater scaups by their squeaky call alone. Mimicking the “scaup, scaup” is also an engaging way for birders to improve their recreation of bird sounds. So next time you are near a marsh in spring, listen for the excited chorus of scaup calls as these diving ducks form pairs and prepare for the breeding season.