scaup

[prettygoodword]

scaup (SKAWP) - n., any of three species of mis-sized diving duck in the genus Aythya, especially the Eurasian A. marila.


Said species sometimes specifically called the greater scaup to distinguish it from the North American lesser scaup (A. affinis) or the New Zealand scaup (A. novaeseelandiae). The male of the Northern Hemisphere species have striking gray, black, and white plumage, and all three species have a distinctive blue bill. Named after the scaup, Scottish form of scalp, mussel beds, on which it often feeds -- as well as other shellfish.


Thanks, WikiMedia!

---L.

Comments

[movingfinger]

I was just now thinking about this word as I drove past the spot where traveling or wintering scaup can sometimes be seen, and remembering that it was a new bird to you...

[prettygoodword]

It finally reached the top of my queue ...