Melanitta nigra
The Common Scoter, *Melanitta nigra*, is a striking medium-sized sea duck primarily found in the Palearctic, known for its sleek, dark appearance. Males are entirely velvety black with a prominent, bulbous yellow-orange knob on their bill, while females are dusky brown with contrasting pale cheek patches and a dark cap. Measuring 44-54 cm (17-21 in) in length with a wingspan of 79-90 cm (31-35 in) and weighing 850-1600 g (1.9-3.5 lb), they are easily identified by their distinctive silhouette...
Primarily coastal marine waters and large freshwater lakes during migration and winter. Breeds on shallow, boggy freshwater lakes and pools in Arctic and subarctic tundra and taiga environments.
Feeds primarily on benthic invertebrates, including mollusks (mussels, clams, snails), crustaceans, and insect larvae, obtained by diving to the seafloor or lakebed.
Common Scoters are largely diurnal, often forming vast, cohesive rafts on open water, especially during winter and migration. They are adept divers, propelling themselves with their large feet to forage on benthic invertebrates, typically diving for 30-60 seconds. During the breeding season, male...
The Common Scoter (*Melanitta nigra*) breeds across Arctic and subarctic regions of Iceland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, and Siberia. During winter, these populations migrate to coastal marine waters of Western Europe, extending from Norway south to France, encompassing the British Isles, North...
Least Concern
- Common Scoters can dive to depths of 12 meters (40 feet) or more to forage for shellfish. - The male's bill features a distinctive, bright orange-yellow knob, a unique characteristic among scoters. - They form some of the largest rafts of sea ducks globally, with wintering congregations numberi...