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Common Scoter

Melanitta nigra

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
Common Scoter, photographed by Vsevolod Rudyi

Photo: Vsevolod Rudyi · Wikimedia · CC-BY 4.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Common Scoter

Fairly common sea duck; feeds by diving. Breeds on tundra lakes; winters at sea in coastal bays, estuaries, harbors. Rarely seen inland on fresh water, mainly during migration periods. Occurs locally in flocks of hundreds, but also found as singles and small groups. Male distinctive: wholly black with raised knob at base of bill, yellow wedge on top of bill. Female dark brown overall with pale cheeks. In flight looks all-dark, often flying in rather tight groups low to fairly high over the sea.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 49 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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