Black Scoter
Black Scoter
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The Black Scoter is a medium-sized sea duck, characterized by its entirely black plumage in males, offset by a prominent yellow-orange knob on the bill. Females are dark brown with contrasting pale cheeks.
Where to spot
Breeds on tundra and bog lakes across northern North America, Iceland, and Siberia. Winters predominantly along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, and the Atlantic and European coasts.
How to spot
Look for them on coastal bays, estuaries, and offshore waters, often in loose flocks. Males are uniformly black with a unique bulbous yellow bill knob. Females are dark brown above with contrasting paler cheeks and throat, and a dark cap. They lack the white wing patches of other scoters.
When to spot
Most easily observed during migration and winter along coastal marine environments.
Where to spot
Breeds on tundra and bog lakes across northern North America, Iceland, and Siberia. Winters predominantly along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, and the Atlantic and European coasts.
How to spot
Look for them on coastal bays, estuaries, and offshore waters, often in loose flocks. Males are uniformly black with a unique bulbous yellow bill knob. Females are dark brown above with contrasting paler cheeks and throat, and a dark cap. They lack the white wing patches of other scoters.
When to spot
Most easily observed during migration and winter along coastal marine environments.
Credits:
By Stephan Sprinz - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89878661
Black Scoters are known for their musical, whistling calls, especially by the males during courtship displays, which add to their distinctiveness on the water.
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