Hector s Dolphin vs Lesser Scaup

Cephalorhynchus hectori compared with Aythya affinis

Key Differences

• Hector s Dolphin is Endangered while Lesser Scaup is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Hector s Dolphin	Lesser Scaup
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)	Anseriformes (Anseriformes)
Family	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)	Anatidae
Genus	Cephalorhynchus	Aythya
Species	Cephalorhynchus hectori	Aythya affinis

Evolutionary Relationship

Hector s Dolphin and Lesser Scaup share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Hector s Dolphin

EN — Endangered

Lesser Scaup

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Hector s Dolphin	Lesser Scaup
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Hector s Dolphin

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Lesser Scaup

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela).

Lesser Scaup

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Widespread and abundant across its range, with stable populations and no immediate conservation concerns.