Although Thief Lake is known as a bluebill (lesser scaup) stopover, we do get greater scaup. They are most prevalent late in the fall just before ice-up (and as early migrants in the spring). They are also fairly common on Lake of the Woods. Greaters are larger overall, and tend to have more rounded heads compared to the more angular heads on lessers. Although iridescence is a structural component of color, in my experience you are more likely to see greenish iridescence on greaters and purple on lessers.

I carved this pair of greaters for late season diver shoots on Thief Lake, and for layout shooting on Lake of the Woods. Both birds are self-righting, with hollow northern white cedar bodies, basswood heads, and weighted oak keels. Painting was done with acrylics.