Scoters: Seaducks

The scoters are stocky seaducks that breed in the far north of Europe, Asia, and North America, and winter further south in temperate zones of those continents.

These ducks form large flocks on suitable coastal waters.

Description:

The males are mostly black and have swollen bills. Females are brown.

Nesting:

They build their nests on the ground – typically close to the sea, lakes, or rivers, in woodland or tundra.

Velvet ScoterThere are five species, grouped into two subgenera:


More Duck Resources

White-winged Scoter

Black or American Scoter (Melanitta americana)

Diet / Feeding:

Scoters dive for crustaceans and mollusks.

Ducks generally feed on larvae and pupae usually found under rocks, aquatic animals, plant material, seeds, small fish, snails and crabs.

 
 
 
 
 
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Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

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