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Common Scoter
(Melanitta nigra)
 German name(s): "Trauerente"
Size: 44-54 cm; wing span 70-84 cm
Weight: 1.0 kg (average)
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Common Scoters are large sea ducks.
Their plumage is
dimorphic, i.e.
males
and
females
are different.
Male
Common Scoters are all-black, except the primaries which in
flight show silvery flashes (streaking) on both upperwing
and underwing.
Males have a yellow base of the upper mandible of the bill.
Females
are very dark grey with inconspicuous vermiculation. The only
distinguishing feature are grey patches on the sides of the
head, from below the eyes to the sides of the neck.
Females
have a dark-grey bill.
Both sexes have dark irises.
Juveniles and immature birds resemble
females.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Common
Scoter at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
.
The global distribution of the Common Scoter is available
HERE
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Common Scoters are a migratory Eurasian species.
Their breeding range extends from northern Europe into
northern Asia.
They overwinter in coastal areas and along major rivers
of western Scandinavia, Britain and of central to
southern Europe, around the northern Mediterranean,
plus along the northern coastline of the Black Sea.
There is also an overwintering population on the
coastal fringe of north-western Africa.
In Europe Common Scoters are found as breeding migrants in
highland lakes of Scandinavia, in the border region of Norway
and Sweden, in northern Finland and in northern Russia.
They overwinter along the coastal fringe of Norway, along
the West coast of Denmark and parts of the South coast of
the Baltic Sea, along the West coast of Germany and the
Benelux countries into France, to Iberia and around the
western Mediterranean.
They are also found mostly around the coastlines of Britain.
While the migration of the western European population runs
across southern Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea, southern to
central Finland and the Baltic States in a wide swath, the
population overwintering along the North coast of the Black
Sea follows a distinct flight path to northern European Russia.
Common Scoters breed near lakes and rivers in highlands or
tundra. Outside the breeding season they prefer coastal
habitats.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
We have not seen a Common Scoter in mainland Europe yet.
J. Pires reports spotting a Common
Scoter at Faja de Cubres, Sao Jorge, Azores, in November 2018.
All sighting and photographic information presented on this page
has been kindly contributed by J. Pires.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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FEMALE |
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Lateral view of a female (or immature) Common Scoter
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Faja de Cubres, Sao Jorge, Azores, November 2018]
Lateral view of a female (or immature) Common Scoter in flight, wings down
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Faja de Cubres, Sao Jorge, Azores, November 2018]
Near-dorsal view of a female (or immature) Common Scoter in flight, wings up
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Faja de Cubres, Sao Jorge, Azores, November 2018]
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
Call/s
