American Scoter
American Scoter
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The American Scoter, often considered a distinct species from the Eurasian Black Scoter, is an all-black sea duck with a striking yellow or orange knob on the male's bill. It is slightly larger and has a different bill shape than its Eurasian counterpart.
Where to spot
Breeds in northern Canada and Alaska. Winters primarily along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, from the Maritimes and Great Lakes south to Florida and California. Also occurs in the Bering Sea.
How to spot
Scan open coastal waters and large bays. Males are entirely black with a prominent yellow-orange knob on the culmen of the bill. Females are dark brown with paler cheeks and a somewhat pointed bill profile. Distinguished from Black Scoter primarily by subtle bill differences and range.
When to spot
Most reliably observed during the non-breeding season (winter) along coastal marine environments and large estuaries.
Where to spot
Breeds in northern Canada and Alaska. Winters primarily along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, from the Maritimes and Great Lakes south to Florida and California. Also occurs in the Bering Sea.
How to spot
Scan open coastal waters and large bays. Males are entirely black with a prominent yellow-orange knob on the culmen of the bill. Females are dark brown with paler cheeks and a somewhat pointed bill profile. Distinguished from Black Scoter primarily by subtle bill differences and range.
When to spot
Most reliably observed during the non-breeding season (winter) along coastal marine environments and large estuaries.
Credits:
By Laura Wolf - https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurawolfartist/52708809167/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=129113968
American Scoters are expert divers, often foraging for mollusks and crustaceans on the seabed at depths of up to 12 meters (40 feet).
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