Black Scoter

It winters further south in temperate zones, on the coasts of Europe as far south as Morocco. It forms large flocks on suitable coastal waters. These are tightly packed, and the birds tend to take off and dive together.

The Black Scoter is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Black Scoter and Common Scoter have diagnosably distinct vocalisations (Sangster 2009). Distribution - The Black Scoter breeds in the far north of North America in Labrador and Newfoundland to the southeast Hudson Bay, in Alaska. It also occurs on the Siberian side of the Bering Straits east of the Yana River. More

A coastal duck that breeds in the subarctic, the Black Scoter is not well studied in North America. Only a few nests have ever been found. More

Black Scoter and Common Scoter have diagnosably distinct vocalisations (Sangster 2009). Diet: This species dives for crustaceans and molluscs while migrating or wintering on the sea-coasts, and feeds on insects and their larvae, especially caddisflies, fish eggs and, more rarely, vegetation such as duck weed while nesting on freshwater. Feeding Ducks ... More

The Black Scoter breeds in the far north of North America in Labrador and Newfoundland to the southeast Hudson Bay, in Alaska. It also occurs on the Siberian side of the Bering Straits east of the Yana River. It winters further south in temperate zones, on the coasts of the northern USA and Canada, on the Pacific coast south to the San Francisco Bay region and on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, and in Asia as far south as China. More

The Black Scoter is native to numerous countries throughout the world. This bird has a range reaching up to 1 million square kilometers. The population of the Black Scoter is thought to be nearing 3 million individual birds. At the current time, the Black Scoter is rated as Least Concern. This rating has been downgraded from Lower Risk in 2000. More

Black Scoter and Common Scoter have diagnosably distinct vocalisations (Sangster 2009). UK population and current issues - Campbell (1977) estimated the wintering population in north-western Europe to be about 130,000, mostly in the Baltic area, and the UK population at about 20,000. There is a marked passage in spring through the Straits of Dover. More

The Black Scoter drake is all black except for an orange knob at the base of its bill. The hen is mottled brown with a dark cap and pale cheeks. This sea duck can be found in the coastal waters of Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast. More

The black scoter is the least abundant in the New World. All three species of scoter feed mainly on marine animals such as clams; only about 10... More

The Black Scoter Melanitta americana, called the American Scoter by some and Melanitta nigra by others*, is a large seaduck rather readily identified by the large, shockingly-bright-yellow knob on the male’s bill that stands out amazingly well against the all-black plumage that gives the bird its common name. The female is dressed in more muted tones of brown with pale cheeks. Both are appealing to the eye and enjoyable to watch as they alternately swim on the surface or dive down deep after dinner. More

The breeding range of the Black Scoter is at the edge of the northern forest or in the treeless tundra, where they breed on small, shallow lakes, ponds, sloughs, and river banks with tall grasses to conceal nests. In winter, they can be found on coastal bays and along coastlines, usually in shallow water within a mile of shore. More

Bent Life History for the Black Scoter - the common name and sub-species reflect the nomenclature in use at the time the description was written. More

Black Scoter - Definition = Common Scoter Photo: Scoter Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Genus: Melanitta Species: nigra Binomial name More

Black Scoter Head Illustration Head * Bill Shape: Spatulate * Eye Color: Dark brown. More

● Similar species: Surf Scoter: Male Black Scoter lacks white on head; female has pale gray lower face and throat. Male White-winged Scoter has white eye and wing patches; female has white wing patches. Flight Pattern Rapid direct flight., Strong deep wing beats. Surf Scoter Body Illustration● Range & Habitat: Surf Scoter: Breeds in Alaska and across northern Canada to Labrador. Spends winters mainly along coasts, from Alaska south to California and from Newfoundland south to Florida, and rarely to Texas. More

The black scoter (Melanitta nigra) is of special concern among the seaducks, because it is both the least common of the three scoter species and the species least studied. The Continental Technical Team of the Sea Duck Joint Venture has recommended and funded research on this species to learn more about its movements and the delineation of its breeding and molting areas. Canadian Wildlife Service on the Restigouche River, New Brunswick, Canada - Photo by Dr. More

Above and below four: A pair of Black Scoters at Black Walnut Point, Talbot Co., Maryland (8/22/2006). A sight much more common in this area in winter. Below: A drake Black Scoter resting on the shoreline at North Beach, Calvert Co., Maryland (9/14/2007). This is an unusual sight at any time of year in this area, let alone in September. More

Black Scoter is unlikely to be confused with any other duck. The orange patch on the bill is visible from considerable distances, even in flight. The dark brown plumage of females and immatures is similar to that found in other female scoters. Note that the Black Scoter has a rounder head and lacks white patches on the face instead having a pale face contrasting with a dark crown. More

The Black Scoter is the least common of the three in North America, numbering about 500,000; it is more numerous and deserving of its former name, "Common Scoter," in parts of Eurasia. Banner photo credit: CPAWS Wildlands League Email Borealbirds.org | 206.956. More

The Long Liner Black Scoter is a low profile Decoy designed for the serious Diver Hunter. This Decoy features a rested head that is tangle free. We all know how much trouble it is to run decoys on a Long Line with high heads. The bills seem to catch on everything. Now you can load or totes up with the long lines attached to the main line. Deploy your rig without tangle. From Guides to everyday hunters this decoy will perform year after year. More

The round head and dark plumage of the female Black Scoter is somewhat reminiscent of the American Black Duck but the bill of the black duck is greenish, not black. Larger ViewpixIDClick here to view the title and reference file name of this picture. ID: Black Scoter image: black_scoter. More

The Black Scoter is a diving duck. I have seen hundreds of them. At a sea watch site in Avalon, New Jersey, where migrating waterfowl are counted, I saw line after line of scoters flying just above the water’s surface a quarter mile offshore. In half an hour, hundreds flew south along the coast. Black Scoters are common during the wintering months off the Atlantic coast. They are often in mixed flocks with Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters. More