Lesser scaup

Lesser scaup (Aythya affinis). Lesser scaup (Aythya affinis).

One pair in the main garden. The males head and neck are black shot with violet during breeding season and their upper back, breast and rump are also black: tail brownish-black. The female will nest amongst vegetation lined with dry grass and down once several eggs have been laid and the usual egg clutch is 9-11 olive-buff eggs