From Opus

Revision as of 22:51, 23 July 2008

Melanitta fusca

Photo by digitalbirder
Location: White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

Photo by Gwynn
Location: Austria

Identification

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.

Distribution

Scandinavia, especially Sweden and Norway.

Taxonomy

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.

Bird Song

External Links