Upon closer inspection of the drakes, you’ll notice lesser scaup are smaller than greater scaup. The greater scaup has a rounded head, whereas the lesser scaup looks less rounded. The lesser also has a taller narrower head. The ring-necked drake has a solid black back and a cone-shaped head.

Female Greater Scaups have a mostly solid brown head, lacking the capped look of female Ring-necked Ducks. Nonbreeding male Greater Scaups have a paler back than Ring-necked Ducks. Male Lesser Scaups have a paler back than Ring-necked Ducks and they lack the white side spur.

Here are some of the main differences between ring-necked ducks and scaups: Ring-necked Duck: Ring-necked Ducks are found across North America and northern Eurasia. They migrate to southern US and Mexico for winter, preferring shallow wetlands with emergent vegetation like wild celery. They also nest in boreal forest ponds and marshes.

Discover the distinctions between Ring-necked Ducks and Scaup in this comprehensive guide. Explore their size differences, plumage colors, habitat preferences, dietary habits, vocalizations, behavior patterns, and conservation status.

Put these cues to the test with Bird Academy’s SnapID tool and practice distinguishing between Lesser Scaups and Ring-necked Ducks. You can replay the quiz as many times as you want.