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Common Scoter

Melanitta nigra

Least Concern

Envergure

44,2 cm

Poids

1127,25 g

Famille

Anatidae

Ordre

Anseriformes

À propos

A medium-sized sea duck (~1.1 kg) in family Anatidae, males entirely black with a knobbed yellow bill. Breeds on moorland lakes in northern Europe and western Siberia; winters in large flocks on shallow coastal seas. Dives for bivalves and crustaceans. Least Concern; monitored due to sensitivity to offshore energy development and oil spills.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
Envergure	44,2 cm	17.4 in
Poids	1127,25 g	39.76 oz

Identification

Plumage

Male is entirely sooty black without white markings; orange-yellow patch on upper bill with small black knob. Female brownish-black above with contrasting pale cream cheeks and throat.

Habitat & Range

🌿 Wetland 🌾 Grassland 🏖️ Coastal

Répartition géographique

Breeds on moorland and boreal tundra from Iceland and Britain east to western Siberia. Winters on northwestern European coasts and the Baltic Sea.

Diet & Feeding

Dives for bivalves, especially cockles, mussels, and clams, in shallow coastal seas. Also eats crustaceans and marine worms.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

Comportement et reproduction

Nidification

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

Taille de la couvée

6-8

Son

Chant

Male gives a soft, piping whistle; female produces a harsh, rasping call. The male's piping whistle is subtle; female's harsh calls dominate on European winter coasts and estuaries.

Taxonomie

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Ordre	Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
Famille	Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Genus	Melanitta
Espèces	Melanitta nigra

Distribution

Common Scoter has been recorded in 5 countries.

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Présent Not recorded

countries highlighted

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

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Common Scoter eat?

Dives for bivalves, especially cockles, mussels, and clams, in shallow coastal seas. Also eats crustaceans and marine worms.

Where does the Common Scoter live?

Breeds on moorland and boreal tundra from Iceland and Britain east to western Siberia. Winters on northwestern European coasts and the Baltic Sea.

Is the Common Scoter endangered?

The Common Scoter has a conservation status of Least Concern.

How does the Common Scoter nest?

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

What does the Common Scoter sound like?

Male gives a soft, piping whistle; female produces a harsh, rasping call. The male's piping whistle is subtle; female's harsh calls dominate on European winter coasts and estuaries.

How big is the Common Scoter?

The Common Scoter has a wingspan of 44.2 cm, weight of 1127.25 g.

What order and family does the Common Scoter belong to?

The Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.