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This illustration by Prideaux John Selby, depicts a female Scaup Pochard standing on a rocky coastline with an expansive seascape in the background. Selby’s attention to the natural habitat is evident here, as the bird is shown in a coastal setting, likely representative of its North Atlantic range.
The Scaup Pochard, or Greater Scaup (Aythya marila), is a diving duck commonly found in coastal and freshwater habitats throughout northern regions. During the breeding season, these birds are typically found in tundra lakes and ponds in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Female Scaup Pochards, like the one depicted here, nest near water, where they create camouflaged nests lined with down.
In winter, Greater Scaups migrate southward to coastal bays, estuaries, and inland lakes across Europe, Asia, and North America. They are known for their diving behavior, foraging underwater for a diet primarily consisting of mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants, which they find in shallow waters. This reliance on coastal and lake ecosystems makes them sensitive to habitat changes and pollution, highlighting their ecological role as indicators of wetland health.
Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology
Prideaux John Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology, published between 1821 and 1834, is one of the most significant works in 19th-century ornithological literature. Selby, an English naturalist and artist, produced a two-volume set that featured life-sized depictions of British birds, a departure from earlier works that used smaller formats. His background as both a scientist and an artist allowed him to render birds with remarkable accuracy and beauty.
