New Zealand scaup They nest from October to March. They lay five to eight cream/white eggs in a nest close to water, often under banks or thick cover. The nest is usually lined with grass and down. The eggs are incubated for four weeks by the female. The newly hatched ducklings begin diving for food on their first outing. New Zealand scaup The New Zealand scaup ("Aythya novaeseelandiae") commonly known as a black teal, is a diving duck species of the genus "Aythya". It is endemic to New Zealand. In Māori commonly known as papango, also matapouri, titiporangi, raipo. Overall dark brown/black colors.
Greater scaup 100% of female greater scaup, and 77% of female lesser scaup, had escalated levels of selenium in their bodies. Selenium is an occurring semimetallic trace element that occurs naturally in some soils and minute amounts are necessary for animal life. However excessive selenium can cause reproductive harm and is highly toxic. On their migration across the Great Lakes, greater scaups are at risk of ingesting selenium by eating the invasive zebra mussels, which can render a hen infertile. This sterilization of hens is causing the population to decrease. In a study of 107 scaup, they all had traces of iron,