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Black Scoter

Melanitta americana

Near Threatened
طول الجناح
44,0 cm
الوزن
1046,1 g
الفصيلة
Anatidae
الرتبة
Anseriformes
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حول

A medium-sized sea duck (~1 kg) in family Anatidae, males entirely black with a bold orange-yellow knob at the bill base. Breeds on boreal and tundra lakes of North America and eastern Russia; winters coastally. Dives for mollusks and crustaceans. Near Threatened following population declines linked to habitat loss on breeding grounds.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
طول الجناح 44,0 cm 17.3 in
الوزن 1046,1 g 36.90 oz

التعرف

الريش

Male is pure glossy black throughout with a prominent bright orange-yellow knob at bill base. Female is dark sooty-brown with pale buff cheeks and foreneck contrasting with darker cap and hindneck.

Habitat & Range

النطاق الجغرافي

Breeds in boreal forests and tundra of Alaska and northern Canada. Winters along Pacific and Atlantic coasts south to Baja California and Florida.

Diet & Feeding

Dives for molluscs, particularly mussels and clams, in coastal waters. Takes aquatic insects and plant matter on freshwater breeding lakes.

حالة الحفاظ

Near Threatened
IUCN Red List

السلوك والتكاثر

التعشيش

Nest type: SC. Incubation: 30-31 days. Fledging: 45-50 days.

عدد البيض في الوضع

5-11

الصوت

الغناء

Male produces a low, melodious whistle; female gives a harsh, grating call. Closely related to Common Scoter; voice very similar; heard on North American Pacific and Atlantic coasts in winter.

التصنيف

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
الرتبة Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
الفصيلة Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Genus Melanitta
الأنواع Melanitta americana

Distribution

Black Scoter has been recorded in 5 countries.

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موجود Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

الأسئلة الشائعة

What does the Black Scoter eat?
Dives for molluscs, particularly mussels and clams, in coastal waters. Takes aquatic insects and plant matter on freshwater breeding lakes.
Where does the Black Scoter live?
Breeds in boreal forests and tundra of Alaska and northern Canada. Winters along Pacific and Atlantic coasts south to Baja California and Florida.
Is the Black Scoter endangered?
The Black Scoter has a conservation status of Near Threatened.
How does the Black Scoter nest?
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 30-31 days. Fledging: 45-50 days.
What does the Black Scoter sound like?
Male produces a low, melodious whistle; female gives a harsh, grating call. Closely related to Common Scoter; voice very similar; heard on North American Pacific and Atlantic coasts in winter.
How big is the Black Scoter?
The Black Scoter has a wingspan of 44.0 cm, weight of 1046.1 g.
What order and family does the Black Scoter belong to?
The Black Scoter (Melanitta americana) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Anatidae family

مقارنة

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