The Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) is a large sea duck, which breeds over the far north of Europe and Asia west of the Yenisey basin. A small, isolated population nests in eastern Turkey.
The East Siberian and North American White-winged Scoter is sometimes considered conspecific (of, or belonging to, the same species) with the Velvet Scoter, and its two constituent subspecies are then known as M. f. stejnegeri and M. f. deglandi.
Velvet and White-winged Scoter, along with the Surf Scoter, are placed in the subgenus Melanitta, distinct from the subgenus Oidemia, Black, and Common Scoters.
It winters further south in temperate zones, Europe as far south as Great Britain, and on the Black and Caspian Sea. Small numbers reach France and northern Spain. It forms large flocks on suitable coastal waters. These are tightly packed, and the birds tend to take off together.
Nesting / Breeding:
The lined nest is built on the ground close to the sea, lakes, or rivers, in woodland or tundra. 7-9 eggs are laid.
Description:
It is characterised by its bulky shape and large bill. It is the largest scoter at 51-58 cm.
The male is all black, except for white around the eye and a white speculum (= distinctive wing patch). It has a bulbous yellow bill with a black base.
The females are brown birds with two pale patches on each side of the head and white wing patches.
Status
The Velvet Scoter is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
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Diet / Feeding:
Velvet 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.
