Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)

Family
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, Swans)

Size
45 - 56 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Habitat
Breeds on tundra. In winter on open seas and in sheltered bays or rocky headlands, also occasionally inland on freshwater lakes.

Range (Guide)

Canada (B) (NB) (P), Ireland, Mexico, St Pierre and Miquelon (NB) (P), United Kingdom (NB), USA (B).

Vagrant to Belgium, Bermuda, Czech Republic, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Guam, Iceland, Japan, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia (Asian), Spain, Sweden.

Population
Estimated population is 250,000 - 1,300,000 (2010).

Status LC
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Food
Mainly molluscs, including mussels, periwinkles, clams and crabs. Also worms.

Voice
Generally silent, except during the breeding season.

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (18)...)

Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) [XC295509]
by Martin St-Michel from Les Escoumins, La Haute-C\u00f4te-Nord, Qu\u00e9bec, Canada (wing noise)

Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) [XC76452]
by Paul Driver from Cattle Point, San Juan Island, San Juan Co., Washington, United States (call)

Nest
Shallow depressions poorly lined with grass and some feathers, on the ground, near water. Single pairs or loose groups.

Eggs (Guide)
5 - 9; ellipsoidal; 62 x 44 mm. Incubation: 28 - 30 days.

Young
Fledge in about 55 days.

Subspecies
No subspecies.

References
See References.

The Reader's Digest Book of British Birds 1980, 3rd Edition, Drive Publications Ltd ISBN 0 340 25308 8
Birds in Colour Campbell, B., 1960, Penguin Books Ltd
The Pocket Guide to Nest and Eggs Fitter, R.S.R., 1954, Collins
RSPB Handbook of British Birds Holden, P., Cleeves, T., 2002, A & C Black ISBN 0 7136 5713 8
Birds of Britain and Europe Sterry, P., et al., 2001, AA Publishing ISBN 0 7495 3068 5
The Popular Handbook of British Birds Hollom, P.A.D., 1973, H.F. & G. Witherby Ltd ISBN 0 85493 002 7

Files:

JPG files for Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

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BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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