scaup
noun
ˈskȯp 
plural scaup or scaups
: 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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Among the diving duck species estimated in the survey, scaup (greater and lesser combined) were estimated at 3.6 million, 28% below the long-term average but unchanged from 2019. 
Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2022 The scaup-like waterfowl has been hanging out with rafts of diver ducks for a couple weeks near Milwaukee. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2022 Still, there were many thousands of divers on the bay, mostly scaup but also redheads, buffleheads, common goldeneyes and canvasbacks. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2021 The four top ducks in the annual Wisconsin hunter survey are mallards, wood ducks, blue-winged teal and scaup, or bluebills. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 July 2021 The duck pictured this year is a lesser scaup drake. Jim Williams, Star Tribune, 13 July 2021 This year's stamp features a drake lesser scaup painted by Richard Clifton of Milford, Delaware. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 27 June 2021 In an all-day coastal marsh sit, three of us downed a single lesser scaup and a lone bufflehead. T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 1 Jan. 2021 The scaup daily bag limit this season is two birds per day. oregonlive, 25 Sep. 2020 See More
Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2022 The scaup-like waterfowl has been hanging out with rafts of diver ducks for a couple weeks near Milwaukee. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2022 Still, there were many thousands of divers on the bay, mostly scaup but also redheads, buffleheads, common goldeneyes and canvasbacks. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2021 The four top ducks in the annual Wisconsin hunter survey are mallards, wood ducks, blue-winged teal and scaup, or bluebills. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 July 2021 The duck pictured this year is a lesser scaup drake. Jim Williams, Star Tribune, 13 July 2021 This year's stamp features a drake lesser scaup painted by Richard Clifton of Milford, Delaware. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 27 June 2021 In an all-day coastal marsh sit, three of us downed a single lesser scaup and a lone bufflehead. T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 1 Jan. 2021 The scaup daily bag limit this season is two birds per day. oregonlive, 25 Sep. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
short for scaup duck; scaup probably alteration of scalp bed of shellfish
First Known Use
1797, in the meaning defined above