bluebills
North American divers
Bluebills are diving ducks of the genus *Aythya*, named for the bluish-gray color of their bills.
In North America, the term usually refers to scaups—the greater scaup and lesser scaup—common targets for waterfowl hunters: We set out decoys for bluebills on the bay.
The name distinguishes them from other ducks by their most visible feature.
Diving duck species
- diving duckWaterfowl that submerges for food
- drakeMale waterfowl
- henFemale fowl
- broodHatchlings as a group
flock · plumage · feathers · beak · webbed feet · wingspan · coloration · iridescent
Established bird migration path
- seasonalRecurring at fixed intervals
- southwardToward the equator's direction
- northwardToward the top
- stopoverBrief halt mid-journey
overwinter · passage · long-distance · staging area · flock · navigation · instinct · breeding grounds
Entering water deliberately
- dabblingShallow, casual involvement
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
- feedingGiving food to
- nestingMaking a dwelling
courtship · rafting · preening · paddle · swim · wingbeat · takeoff · flight
scaup
Diving duck species
- diving duckWaterfowl that submerges for food
- drakeMale waterfowl
- henFemale fowl
brood · flock · plumage · feathers · beak · webbed feet · wingspan · coloration · iridescent · ringneck
flyway
Established bird migration path
stopover · overwinter · passage · long-distance · staging area · flock · navigation · instinct · breeding grounds · wintering
diving
Entering water deliberately
nesting · courtship · rafting · preening · paddle · swim · wingbeat · takeoff · flight · molting
waterfowl
Swimming birds collectively
retriever · bag limit · season · flyway · call · spread · waders · camouflage · sunrise · marsh
wetlands
Water-saturated terrain
bay · estuary · swamp · reeds · cattails · aquatic · freshwater · brackish · shallows · open water