male	male female European distribution pair

Identification

Male Velvet Scoters can be identified at close range by the neat white 'tear drop' just behind the eye, the greater extent of yellow in the bill (around the edges not just in the centre) and by occasional glimpses of the white patch in the closed wing. Females are like Common Scoters but have all dark heads apart from two small, vague, pale blotches, one behind the bill, and another behind the eye. At long range there is little chance of identifying these accurately except in flight when the white secondaries of Velvet Scoters will be obvious.

Habitat

Breeds by lakes in Scandinavian tree-zone. Winters in coastal waters and estuaries.

Migration

The species is migratory, congregating on the sea during the winter. Small populations winter in the North Sea, in the north-west Mediterranean, the Black Sea and inland on central European lakes. However, the majority of birds in Europe winter in the Baltic. These migrate by day along the Estonian coast in spring. In autumn, the males migrate nocturnally over the Baltic Sea in July to moult around Denmark. The females and young then join them to moult about 6 weeks later.

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, Velvet Scoter is classed as Local: generally fairly regular or common species that a 'county lister' or a birding beginner might be interested in going to see. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

King George V Resr (PO), London 23/03/2010	King George V Resr (PO), London 23/03/2010	Wm Girling Resr (PRIVATE), London 09/03/2010	Musselburgh, Lothian 28/01/2010	Musselburgh, Lothian 28/01/2010
Grafham Wtr, Cambs 24/01/2010	Covenham Resr, Lincs 03/01/2010	Barrow Lodge, Lancs 01/01/2010	Barrow Lodge, Lancs 28/12/2009	Barrow Lodge, Lancs 28/12/2009

 View all pictures of Velvet Scoter

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

Estonia
Finland
Georgia
Norway
Russia
Sweden
Turkey

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