Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
Synopsis: Breeds locally in suitable habitats throughout lowlands of eastern Oregon. Most notable are the records from western Oregon, but many western Oregon records and some eastern Oregon records are likely of individuals that are not breeding.

Pairs of a related species, Greater Scaup, were noted in 1999 at Hines (Harney County, June 1) and Dog Lake (Lake County, July 25), the latter a female with a brood. Given the difficulty of identifying this species, the distance to the nearest known regularly-breeding population (Canada) and the possibility of hybrids, stronger evidence will be needed to confirm Greater Scaup breeding in Oregon.

Habitat Associations:
strongest
Lake/Pond Shoreline & Islands (361656 acres)
Edges of Freshwater Marsh (15074 acres)
lesser
Seasonally Wet Playa (71388 acres)


Relative Detectability: Easy to spot and to confirm nesting, usually by noting fledglings accompanied by adults.

Challenge: Confirm breeding by pairs observed in late spring in western Oregon.