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51-58cm. Black, white 'tear drop' just behind the eye, yellow long bill, thick neck and pointed tail. In flight, it shows a white patch on the rear of the wing.
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51-58cm. Black (in reality mostly dark brown, but the difference rarely visible in the field), white 'tear drop' just behind the eye, yellow long bill, thick neck and pointed tail. In flight, it shows a white patch on the rear of the wing.
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====Notes on distinguishing the subspecies====
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==Distribution==
==Distribution==
Breeds in northern areas around the globe, such as [[Scandinavia]] (especially [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]]), northern [[Asia]], and northern [[North America]].
Breeds in northern areas around the globe, such as [[Scandinavia]] (especially [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]]), northern [[Asia]], and northern [[North America]].
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[[Image:Velvet_Scoter2.jpg|thumb|450px|right|"Velvet Scoter", Eurasian ''fusca'' <br />Photo by {{user|Gwynn|Gwynn}}<br />Location: [[Austria]]]]
[[Image:Velvet_Scoter2.jpg|thumb|450px|right|"Velvet Scoter", Eurasian ''fusca'' <br />Photo by {{user|Gwynn|Gwynn}}<br />Location: [[Austria]]]]
Three subspecies are currently recognized:
Three subspecies are currently recognized:
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*''deglandi'' occurs in North America and includes ''dixoni'' which is no longer recognized. This subspecies has in the past and is increasingly again recognized as a full species, which would keep the name of White-winged Scoter. Opus follows the developments in the worldwide checklists.
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*''deglandi'' (White-winged Scoter) occurs in North America and includes ''dixoni'' which is no longer recognized.
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*''fusca'' is found in Europe and western Asia, this becomes Velvet Scoter if the split of American birds goes through.
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*''stejnegeri'' is found in Estern Asia. This form is also sometimes proposed for recognition as a full species, Asian White-winged or Stejneger's Scoter.
*''stejnegeri'' is found in Estern Asia. This form is also sometimes proposed for recognition as a full species, Asian White-winged or Stejneger's Scoter.
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*''fusca'' is found in Europe and western Asia, .
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The subspecies ''deglandi'' has in the past and is increasingly again recognized as a full species (for example by the British BOURC), which would keep the name of White-winged Scoter; subspecies ''fusca'' would then become Velvet Scoter. Subspecies ''stejnegeri'' would be a subspecies of ''M. deglandi'' if BOURC is followed, but has also sometimes been considered a full species. Opus follows the developments in the worldwide checklists.
==Habitat==
==Habitat==
Lakes, coastal waters, estuaries.
Lakes, coastal waters, estuaries.
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==References==
==References==
# Clements, James F. 2007. ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World''. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
# Clements, James F. 2007. ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World''. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
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# [http://www.bou.org.uk/recbrlst.html DUDLEY et al.] 2006. The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (7th edition). Ibis 148:526–563 with online updates to 2009
51-58cm. Black (in reality mostly dark brown, but the difference rarely visible in the field), white 'tear drop' just behind the eye, yellow long bill, thick neck and pointed tail. In flight, it shows a white patch on the rear of the wing.
Migrates in winter to areas that have coastal open water, for example in Europe will be found from Norway to Spain and east to the Caspian Sea.
Taxonomy
"Velvet Scoter", Eurasian fusca Photo by Gwynn Location: Austria
Three subspecies are currently recognized:
deglandi (White-winged Scoter) occurs in North America and includes dixoni which is no longer recognized.
stejnegeri is found in Estern Asia. This form is also sometimes proposed for recognition as a full species, Asian White-winged or Stejneger's Scoter.
fusca is found in Europe and western Asia, .
The subspecies deglandi has in the past and is increasingly again recognized as a full species (for example by the British BOURC), which would keep the name of White-winged Scoter; subspecies fusca would then become Velvet Scoter. Subspecies stejnegeri would be a subspecies of M. deglandi if BOURC is followed, but has also sometimes been considered a full species. Opus follows the developments in the worldwide checklists.
Habitat
Lakes, coastal waters, estuaries.
Behaviour
The diet includes shellfish, crabs, sea urchins, fish, insect larvae and plants.
It builds a lined nest on the ground close to the sea, lakes or rivers, in woodland or tundra. 7-9 eggs are laid.
Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
DUDLEY et al. 2006. The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (7th edition). Ibis 148:526–563 with online updates to 2009
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