Diving duck · Duck ID

Lesser scaup

Aythya affinis · The bluebill. Gray back, dark head and a blue bill. Has its own bag limit by date.

Drake. Photo: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK · CC BY 2.0 · source

Length: 15–18 in
Weight: 1.0–2.4 lb
Wingspan: 25–31 in
Group: Diving duck

Typical adult size. Drakes run larger than hens.

Field marks

How to identify a lesser scaup

Drake

Dark head with a purple gloss and a peaked back of the head, black chest, finely barred gray back, white sides and a pale-blue bill.

Hen

Brown with a sharp white patch at the base of the bill.

In flight

White stripe on the back half of the inner wing only, fading to gray on the outer feathers. Flocks fly fast and low.

Look-alikes

Ring-necked duck: Ring-necks have a black back, a white spur on the side and a white ring on the bill.
Canvasback: Canvasbacks are bigger with a sloping red head and a whiter back.

Photos

Lesser scaup gallery

Lesser scaup: Hen — **Hen**Basar · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

Lesser scaup: In flight — **In flight**Virginia State Parks staff · CC BY 2.0 · source

2026-27 bag limits

Lesser scaup limits in six Mid-South states

State	Lesser scaup daily limit	Possession	Total daily ducks	Source
MississippiNov 27–29; Dec 4–6; Dec 9, 2026–Jan 31, 2027	1 or 2 a day, by date 1 a day: Nov 27–29, Dec 4–6 and Dec 9–17 2 a day: Dec 18, 2026–Jan 31, 2027	3 times the daily limit Not confirmed Opening-day possession wording in the Digest (check the official source)	6 ducks a day	MDWFP Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits · checked Oct 22, 2026 Mississippi rules
TennesseeNov 28–29; Dec 5, 2026–Jan 31, 2027	1 or 2 a day, by date 1 a day: Nov 28–29 and Dec 5–17 2 a day: Dec 18, 2026–Jan 31, 2027 TWRA's web page prints the first period as "Nov. 28–30"; the season is closed Nov 30, so the printed guide's Nov 28–29 is used.	3 times the daily limit, except 1 times on opening day and 2 times on the second day	6 ducks a day	TWRA Waterfowl and Migratory Birds · checked Oct 22, 2026 Tennessee rules
ArkansasNov 21–29; Dec 10–23; Dec 26, 2026–Jan 31, 2027	1 a day all season	3 times the daily limit	6 ducks a day	AGFC Waterfowl Season Dates, Rules and Regulations · checked Oct 22, 2026 Arkansas rules
LouisianaEast Zone Nov 21–Dec 6 and Dec 19–Jan 31; West Zone Nov 14–Dec 6 and Dec 19–Jan 24	1 a day for the first 15 days of the season, then 2 a day	3 times the daily limit	6 ducks a day	LDWF Seasons and Regulations · checked Oct 22, 2026 Louisiana rules
MissouriNorth Oct 31–Dec 29; Middle Nov 7–Dec 13 and Dec 19–Jan 10; South Nov 26–29 and Dec 7–Jan 31	2 a day for the first 45 days, then 1 (greater and lesser combined) North: 2 Oct 31–Dec 14; 1 Dec 15–29 Middle: 2 Nov 7–Dec 13 and Dec 19–26; 1 Dec 27–Jan 10 South: 2 Nov 26–29 and Dec 7–Jan 16; 1 Jan 17–31	3 times the daily limit	6 ducks a day	MDC 2026–27 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest · checked Oct 22, 2026 Missouri rules
KentuckyNov 26–29; Dec 7, 2026–Jan 31, 2027	1 or 2 a day, by date 1 a day: Nov 26–29 and Dec 7–17 2 a day: Dec 18, 2026–Jan 31, 2027	3 times the daily limit	6 ducks a day	KDFWR 2026–27 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Guide · checked Oct 22, 2026 Kentucky rules

Regular-season limits from each state’s official 2026-27 regulations. Possession limits count birds at home too. Federal rules apply on top of state rules, and some WMAs and refuges set stricter limits. Louisiana and Missouri set duck seasons by zone; the dates shown are for every zone.

Mid-South