Page "Greater Scaup" Paragraph 10

Greater Scaup breed all the way from Iceland to northern Scandinavia, northern Russia, northern Siberia and the western North American Arctic.

They breed in the tundra and the boreal forest ; it is estimated that 75 % of the North American population breed in Alaska.

Greater Scaup typically nest on islands in large northern lakes.

Greater Scaup begin breeding when they are two years old, although they may start nesting at age one.

Drake Greater Scaup have a soft quick whistle to get the attention of hens during their courtship which takes place from late winter to early spring, on the way back to their northern breeding grounds.

Female Greater Scaup have a single pitch, a raspy “ arrr-arrr-arrr-arrr-arrr ” sounding vocalization.

The courtship procedure is complex and results in the formation of monogamous pairs.

Pairs nest in close proximity to each other in large colonies, usually near water, on an island or shoreline, or on a raft of floating vegetation.

The nest consists of a shallow depression made by the female and lined with her down.

After the female lays the eggs, the drake abandons the female.

Once the drakes leave the females, they go to a large, isolated lake, in order to molt.

These lakes can be very close to the breeding grounds, or miles away.

The lakes chosen are used yearly by the same ducks.

The optimal molting lake is fairly shallow, has an abundance of food sources, and cover.

The female lays six to nine olive-buff colored eggs, which she incubates for 24 – 28 days.

A large clutch could indicates brood parasitism by other Greater Scaups or even ducks of other species.

Newly hatched chicks are covered with down and are soon able to walk, swim, and feed themselves ; however, they are not able to fly until 40 – 45 days after hatching.

The vulnerable small chicks follow their mother, who protects them from predators.