lesser scaup
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A species of diving duck: The lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) is a medium-sized North American diving duck. Adult males are characterized by a dark, iridescent head that can appear purplish or greenish in certain light, a black chest, a white side and belly, and a gray back with fine barring.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- A large flock of lesser scaup settled on the open water of the lake.
- Birdwatchers were excited to spot a male lesser scaup with its distinctive purplish head among the other ducks.
- The lesser scaup is often found in mixed flocks with its close relative, the greater scaup.
Advanced Usage
- "Lesser scaup duck": A redundant but sometimes used phrasing for extra clarity.
- The guide pointed out the lesser scaup duck diving for aquatic plants.
Variants and Related Words
- Scaup (noun): The general common name for ducks of the genus , which includes both the lesser scaup and the greater scaup.
- Bluebill (noun): A colloquial or regional name for the lesser scaup, referring to its bluish-gray bill.
- Greater scaup (noun): A closely related, slightly larger species () with a rounded head and a greenish (not purplish) sheen on the head of the male.
Synonyms
- Bluebill (informal/regional)
- Aythya affinis (scientific name)
Related Phrases
- Diving duck: The category of duck to which the lesser scaup belongs, describing its feeding behavior of diving underwater.
- Purplish-headed duck: A descriptive phrase that highlights a key identifying feature of the male lesser scaup.
Noun
- common scaup of North America; males have purplish heads