Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Other references:
B138

Aviculture references:
B29, B30, B31, B40, B94, B97, B128.w1, B129
D1, D8

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's
• The Electronic Library: further reading for "Wildlife: Oil Spill Response"

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Pochards
• Scaups

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Diving Ducks (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Pochards are diving ducks which spend most of their time on water, and are ungainly on land. They are generally hardy, sociable and easy to maintain in captivity. They should be kept with deep water available for diving, three to seven feet suggested (B29), or at least half the area 60cm and preferably one metre deep (D1), with shallow sloping banks for easy exit from the water, also islands, good marginal vegetation and loafing areas. Water providing a good supply of natural animal and vegetable food is preferred.
• These ducks may be kept in mixed collections with dabbling ducks, including smaller species such as teal. They should be fed wheat in water, encouraging their natural diving behaviour. Pellets should also be fed. They may breed better if a group rather than single pair kept, as this allows their normal group displaying activity.
• 12x12x14 inch (30x30x35cm) nest box with 5 inch (12.5cm) entrance hole suggested, placed under cover at the edge of the pond (B128.w1).

(B29, B40, B94, B128.w1, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Greater scaup require a large, deep water area with water weeds and live food available, although they should also be provided with grain, pellets, bread and green food.
• These ducks may be fairly readily bred in captivity. They nest in natural close cover, laying April to May. Ducklings are not difficult to hand-rear; they should be provided with water for swimming from an early age and require high-protein starter crumbs, duckweed and live invertebrates.
• Fertile hybrids may result from crosses with Aythya affinis - Lesser scaup; hybrids (all sterile) also reported with Aythya spp., Bucephala clangula - Common goldeneye, Oxyura jamaicensis - Ruddy duck.

(B29, B30, B31, B40, B94, B97, B129).

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme suggested average closed ring size:

• Aythya marila marila European greater scaup K 10.0mm
• Aythya marila mariloides Pacific greater scaup L 11.0mm

(D8)

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl
• See also: Oil Spill: Species Identification and Special Considerations

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Eclipse: brown-black rather than glossy black, brown wash over paler areas.

mariloides subspecies stronger black vermiculations on upperparts.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Independent at or before fledging.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

• A. m. marila Iceland, across northern Eurasia to Lena River in Siberia, mostly north of 60° latitude.
• A. m. mariloides from Lena River eastward to Bering Sea and east through Aleutian island, Alaska and central Canada to Atlantic coast of Canada.

London: In the London Area, "regular but uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant, occasional large influxes during cold weather. Most records in 2000 were of single birds at a variety of sites. In Inner London, one individual was seen at Surrey Docks. (J322.65.w1)

Migrates to coast of western Europe, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, Japan, Yellow and East China seas. Also inland to Great Lakes and central European lakes.

Accidental to Bear Island, Jan Mayan, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Iraq, Malta, Cyprus, Morocco, Tunisia, Azores.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Reasonably abundant (B1).

• This species is listed on Schedule 1 - Part I (Birds protected by special penalties: Notes on the revised schedules state "Birds protected by special penalties at all times") of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)

Captive Populations

Trade