New Zealand scaup (papango)

New Zealand scaup (papango, Aythya novaeseelandiae) are a small blackish diving duck endemic to New Zealand. They are usually found on deep lakes. They are rarely found on coastal lakes or rivers.

Formerly quite widespread, their range and numbers have declined due to habitat modification, shooting and predation. They have not been recorded on offshore islands.

Scaup dive to at least 3m to forage on aquatic plants and invertebrates.
Scaup tend to be found in flocks during winter. In September they become territorial and by late October 7 to 8 eggs are laid in a nest that is usually located under dense cover near water. The female incubates the eggs alone and when the ducklings are about 1 day old she takes them to the water where they are immediately able to dive for food.

Ron Goudswaard, Sanctuary Conservation
Officer releasing scaup at upper lake
(12 March 2003).

Scaup in the Sanctuary


Scaup (papango) on the lake.

The first pair of scaup was released in the Sanctuary in May 2002 at the upper lake, the young birds coming from Wellington Zoo. They thrived and bred successfully in their first year at the Sanctuary, producing 6 ducklings in early December. This is probably the first time scaup have ever bred in the wild in Wellington because suitable habitat would have been absent before the artificial lakes were developed.

Following on from this success, four more young scaup from Wellington Zoo have been released at the upper lake in 2003 and more releases may be undertaken in future if appropriate.