Ducks, geese, and swans · Waterfowl
Velvet Scoter
Copied!
Melanitta fusca
Copied!
How to recognize it
-
Large dark sea duck with a thick body and long broad bill
-
Male glossy black, with a white patch behind the eye and orange at the bill base
-
Female browner, with a pale patch near the eye and a white wing patch
-
Often in tight flocks on water; takes off together in a heavy, low flight
About the species
The Velvet Scoter is a large sea duck with a heavy body and a long, broad bill. The male is mostly black with a white spot by the eye, while the female looks browner and much less glossy.
It often moves in pairs, and in the breeding season males gather in small groups for noisy displays. It dives for food and can stay underwater for about a minute while searching in deeper water.
It breeds in northern Europe and across northern Asia, on wooded lakes and near coasts. It feeds on molluscs and small fish, and in winter moves to milder waters, including the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
Where to find
-
On winter water with open patches — along sea inlets, wide rivers, and unfrozen canal edges, where Velvet Scoter dives for molluscs and small fish.
-
By stone embankments and bridges with calm backwaters — often in tight groups, surfacing after a long dive.
-
On large lakes and reservoirs with deep, clear water — look for the black shape and white wing patch in a short flight.
-
Early in the morning on sheltered shores away from wind and people, pairs may call loudly and make low flights over the water.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Melanitta fusca Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Velvet scoter Encyclopedia article