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The nest is built on the ground. The clutch consists of 5-7 eggs and are incubated for 27 to 31 days. | The nest is built on the ground. The clutch consists of 5-7 eggs and are incubated for 27 to 31 days. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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#Birdwatchers Pocket Guide ISBN 1-85732-804-3 | #Birdwatchers Pocket Guide ISBN 1-85732-804-3 | ||
#Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966 | #Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966 | ||
Revision as of 20:15, 20 October 2014
Alternative name: American Scoter
- Melanitta americana
Identification
45-49cm
- Bulky
- Large bill
Male
- All black
- Bulbous bill
- Some yellow around the nostrils
- Some yellow around the nostrils
Female
- Brown
- Pale cheeks
- May have some yellow around the nostils
Similar Species
Females can be confused with female Red-crested Pochard which has a white wing bar and Long-tailed Duck which has a smaller bill and much whiter underparts.
Distribution
Far north of North America in Labrador and Newfoundland to the southeast Hudson Bay, in Alaska.
It winters further south on the coasts of the northern USA and Canada, and in Asia as far south as China.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
It was formerly thought to be conspecific with Common Scoter.
Habitat
Winters on sea-coasts, usually at some distance from the shore.
Breeds on inland lakes or rivers, in woodland or tundra.
Behaviour
- Gregarious, may form very large flocks, especially with Velvet Scoter.
- Pointed tail is often raised.
- Spring migration takes place overland at night.
- Autumn migration is along the coast during the day.
Flight
- Flies low to the water in long lines. Flight is strong and rapid.
- Dives with a small leap.
Diet
The diet includes crustaceans and molluscs, insects and their larvae, fish eggs and vegetation such as duck weed while nesting on freshwater.
Breeding
The nest is built on the ground. The clutch consists of 5-7 eggs and are incubated for 27 to 31 days.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Birdwatchers Pocket Guide ISBN 1-85732-804-3
- Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
- Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
- Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
- 51st supplement to the AOU checklist of North American birds
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Black Scoter. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black_Scoter
