STUDIES OF WATERFOWL IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: GREATER SCAUP DUCK, LESSER SCAUP DUCK

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Research
• Main Author: Munro, J. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1941
• Subjects: Pharmacology (medical); Complementary and alternative medicine; Pharmaceutical Science; greater scaup
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjr41d-010; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/cjr41d-010

Nyroca marila is an abundant migrant through British Columbia and large numbers winter in the coast region. The sex ratio in winter flocks is predominantly male. Chara was the chief food eaten by 57 specimens from Okanagan Lake, miscellaneous vegetable matter was second, and molluscs third in importance. Food items, listed in order of importance, on coast streams and lakes were: vegetable matter, molluscs, salmon eggs, salmon flesh, and, on salt water: gastropods, sea lettuce (Ulva sp.), crustaceans, and herring eggs. N. affinis nests commonly in parts of the dry interior and elsewhere in the province is a migrant and scarce winter visitant. Sex ratio is predominantly male. Courtship continues through April and May; laying commences in June and late clutches are found in August. Females defend their young vigorously and a habit of combining broods has a probable survival value. Males raft on certain lakes in July and go into eclipse as flight feathers are shed. These populations include yearling and post-breeding females and later, adolescents. The former moult at this time. Adults migrate early and those remaining are largely young of the year. Amphipods are the chief food of all age groups on the nesting ground; aquatic insects and seeds of aquatic plants are also important. Both species of scaup ducks are economically important as food and for sport in the interior but less so on the coast where, because of a different diet, their flesh is less palatable. It was not determined whether the consumption of salmon eggs and herring eggs is of economic significance. Elsewhere than on the coast scaup ducks are related to other interests only to the limited extent to which they are food competitors of trout and other commercially valuable fishes.