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Velvet Scoter

Melanitta fusca

Vulnerable

طول الجناح

51,8 cm

الوزن

1635,1666666666667 g

الفصيلة

Anatidae

الرتبة

Anseriformes

حول

A large sea duck (~1.6 kg) of the family Anatidae, males black with a white wing patch and yellow-sided bill. Breeds on lakes and rivers of northern Eurasia; winters on coastal waters of Europe. Forages by diving for mollusks and crustaceans. Vulnerable due to significant population declines attributed to hunting pressure and habitat degradation.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
طول الجناح	51,8 cm	20.4 in
الوزن	1635,1666666666667 g	57.68 oz

التعرف

الريش

Male is jet black overall with a small white teardrop below eye and white speculum visible in flight; yellow-sided bill with black knob at base. Female is dark brown with two whitish facial spots.

Habitat & Range

🌲 Forest 🌿 Wetland 🌾 Grassland 🏖️ Coastal

النطاق الجغرافي

Breeds in boreal forests of northern Europe and western Siberia. Winters on coasts of northwestern Europe, the Black Sea, and Caspian Sea.

Diet & Feeding

Dives for mussels, cockles, and crustaceans in coastal and brackish waters. Freshwater insects taken on breeding grounds.

حالة الحفاظ

Vulnerable

IUCN Red List

السلوك والتكاثر

التعشيش

Nest type: SC. Incubation: 27-28 days. Fledging: 50-55 days.

عدد البيض في الوضع

7-9

الصوت

الغناء

Male emits a low, melodious whistled note; female produces a guttural, rasping call. The male's soft whistle contrasts with the female's harsh, buzzy alarm call on European coasts.

التصنيف

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

Distribution

Velvet Scoter has been recorded in 5 countries.

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موجود Not recorded

countries highlighted

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States

External Databases

الأسئلة الشائعة

What does the Velvet Scoter eat?

Dives for mussels, cockles, and crustaceans in coastal and brackish waters. Freshwater insects taken on breeding grounds.

Where does the Velvet Scoter live?

Breeds in boreal forests of northern Europe and western Siberia. Winters on coasts of northwestern Europe, the Black Sea, and Caspian Sea.

Is the Velvet Scoter endangered?

The Velvet Scoter has a conservation status of Vulnerable.

How does the Velvet Scoter nest?

Nest type: SC. Incubation: 27-28 days. Fledging: 50-55 days.

What does the Velvet Scoter sound like?

Male emits a low, melodious whistled note; female produces a guttural, rasping call. The male's soft whistle contrasts with the female's harsh, buzzy alarm call on European coasts.

How big is the Velvet Scoter?

The Velvet Scoter has a wingspan of 51.8 cm, weight of 1635.1666666666667 g.

What order and family does the Velvet Scoter belong to?

The Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.