Scaup Aythya marila

Marine equivalent of the tufted duck; superficially similiar

Habitat: sea, estuaries, occasionally inland on lakes and reservoirs

Annual winter visitor to the UK

Male: black breast and rear end, dark head glossed green; vermiculated back

Often forms large flocks on open water, diving from surface to feed

Eats aquatic vegetation and molluscs; flight strong and powerful

Nest is a lined hollow near water, open sites

1 brood May – June ; 6-15 greenish eggs