male	male female European distribution flock

Identification

Scoters are rather stocky black ducks usually seen in tight groups out at sea. They fly fast and low over the waves in characteristic straggly black lines. If such birds show no white at all on the wings as they fly they will almost certainly be a Common Scoter. At rest, male Common Scoters are simply all-black with a small yellow area on top of the bill. Females are dark smoky brown but with paler cheeks. Scoters often show spiky tails sticking out of the water.

Habitat

Breeds on moorland near lochs. Winters in coastal waters, particularly sheltered bays.

Migration

The entire population of the nominate race M.n.nigra winters in the coastal waters of western Europe, from Norway and the western Baltic, south to Spain and along the Atlantic coast of Africa as far south as Mauritania.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Common Scoter is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Wayoh Resr, Lancs 21/07/2010	Embo, Highland 11/06/2010	Watermead CP, Leics 15/04/2010	Watermead CP, Leics 15/04/2010	Warley Moor Resr, W Yorks 11/04/2010
Hartlepool, Cleveland 01/02/2010	Rumps Point, Cornwall 03/12/2009	Rumps Point, Cornwall 03/12/2009	Rumps Point, Cornwall 03/12/2009	Newlyn, Cornwall 22/10/2009

 View all pictures of Common Scoter

Common Scoter breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Britain
Finland
Iceland
Ireland
Norway
Russia
Svalbard
Sweden

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