scaup

scaup

noun \ˈskȯp\

plural scaup or scaups

Definition of SCAUP

: either of two diving ducks (Aythya affinis or A. marila) with the male having a glossy purplish or greenish head and a black breast and tail

Origin of SCAUP

short for scaup duck; scaup probably alteration of scalp bed of shellfish

First Known Use: 1797

Rhymes with SCAUP

gawp, whaup, yawp

scaup

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of three species (genus Aythya, family Anatidae) of diving ducks. The greater scaup, or big bluebill (A. marila), breeds across Eurasia and most of the Nearctic region. The lesser scaup, or little bluebill (A. affinis), breeds in northwestern North America. Both are popular game birds, 15–20 in. (38–51 cm) long, that winter along the U.S. coasts. Males have a dark breast and grayish back but differ in head colour and wing markings; females are brown with white patches around the blue bill. Scaups eat mainly clams. The third species is the New Zealand scaup (A. novaeseelandiae).