Ducks, geese, and swans · Waterfowl
Common Scoter
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Melanitta nigra
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Voice
Call
Max Karlsson
Call
Sonothèque ADVL
How to recognize it
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Large, bulky sea duck, heavy on the water
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Male almost all black, yellow patch at the bill base
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Female dark brown with pale cheeks and a grey bill
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Fast, low flight; males give a whistling wing sound
About the species
Common Scoter looks plain and sturdy rather than flashy. On the water it is easier to remember for its compact shape and long tail, with the male all dark and the female much browner in winter.
It is a social sea duck that gathers in large flocks and often feeds in smaller groups. In flight it moves fast and low, and males add a whistling sound made by the wings.
It breeds in the far north near rivers, lakes, ponds, forest edges, and tundra, then spends winter in milder temperate waters farther south. It feeds mostly on mussels, crustaceans, and molluscs, and in fresh water it also takes insects and small fish by diving.
Where to find
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Along sea walls, piers, and breakwaters — where the water stays deep and calm, Common Scoter often sits in tight black rafts and dives almost at once.
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By quays and stone banks in the cold season — look for dives among other ducks while feeding on mussels and crustaceans.
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On large lakes or reservoirs with open water in the middle — a low, fast flight over the surface and short, synchronized dives are the clues.
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At river mouths and broad canals — especially on windy days, when a compact flock gathers and surfaces with barely a splash.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Melanitta nigra Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Common scoter Encyclopedia article