Common Scoter

Melanitta nigra

Least Concern
Diving beneath the waves, this sea duck transforms coastal waters into its own aquatic playground.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Common Scoter is a medium-sized sea duck with a distinctive appearance. Males are entirely black with a bulbous base to their bill, which features a yellow-orange patch. Their eyes are dark, and they have a rounded head profile.

Females are predominantly dark brown with paler cheeks and throat. Juveniles resemble females but may have more mottled plumage.

Size

Length

43cm to 54cm

Wingspan

79cm to 90cm

Weight

800g to 1.5kg

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Black

Secondary Colour

Brown

Beak Colour

Black Yellow

Leg Colour

Black

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Grey White

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Common Scoter is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Common Scoter is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Common Scoter can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Common Scoter can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Common Scoter is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Common Scoter is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Common Scoter is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Common Scoter is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Common Scoter is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Common Scoter is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Common Scoter is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Common Scoter is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Common Scoters inhabit coastal marine environments, preferring shallow waters with sandy or muddy bottoms. They breed in freshwater lakes and pools in Arctic tundra and taiga regions across northern Europe and Asia.

During winter, they migrate to temperate coastal areas. In the UK, large numbers can be found along the east coast of England and Scotland, as well as in the Irish Sea and off the coast of Wales.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Common Scoter. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Azerbaijan Belarus Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Iceland Ireland Kazakhstan Morocco Norway Poland Russia Sweden The United Kingdom Western Sahara
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Austria Belgium Bulgaria Czech Republic Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iran Italy Latvia Lithuania Macedonia Mauritania Netherlands Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Switzerland Turkey Ukraine
Species that pass through the area during migration
Turkmenistan
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Algeria Croatia Cyprus Greenland Libya Liechtenstein Malta Montenegro Serbia Tunisia

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Common Scoter demonstrates remarkable agility in water, being an excellent diver capable of reaching depths up to 30 metres. Their ability to manoeuvre swiftly underwater to catch prey and evade predators indicates high agility.

Strength 70

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong for their size, Common Scoters possess considerable strength to dive deep, swim against currents, and pry open shellfish. Their ability to use their wings for underwater propulsion also suggests good muscular strength.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Common Scoters show good adaptability, thriving in both freshwater breeding grounds and marine wintering areas. Their ability to drink seawater thanks to special salt glands demonstrates physiological adaptation. However, their specific habitat and dietary requirements somewhat limit their overall adaptability.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Common Scoters are not particularly aggressive birds. They are highly social, often forming large flocks, which suggests a relatively peaceful nature. However, males may display some aggression during courtship and territorial defence in breeding season.

Endurance 90

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Common Scoter exhibits exceptional endurance. Their ability to dive repeatedly to depths of up to 30 metres, coupled with their long-distance migratory behaviour, demonstrates remarkable stamina. Additionally, their capacity to withstand cold waters and harsh Arctic breeding conditions further underscores their high endurance.

Diet

The Common Scoter's diet consists primarily of molluscs, particularly mussels and cockles. They also consume crustaceans, small fish, and aquatic insects. These ducks use their strong bills to pry open shellfish and crush their shells underwater.

Behaviour

Common Scoters are highly social, often forming large flocks on the water. They are excellent divers, using their wings to propel themselves underwater in search of food.

During courtship, males perform elaborate displays, including head-bobbing and short flights across the water's surface.

Vocalisation

The Common Scoter is generally quiet, but males produce a melodious whistle during courtship. Females have a harsh, grating 'krr-krr' call. In flight, their wings make a distinctive whistling sound, which can aid in identification.

Nesting & Breeding

Common Scoters form pairs on wintering grounds before migrating to breeding areas. They typically breed from May to August, depending on the latitude of their nesting site.

Females construct nests on the ground, often hidden in dense vegetation near water. The nest is a shallow depression lined with plant material and down. They lay 6-9 olive-buff coloured eggs.

Incubation lasts about 30 days, carried out solely by the female. Ducklings are precocial and can swim and feed themselves shortly after hatching, but remain with the female for protection for several weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While listed as Least Concern globally, Common Scoter populations are declining in some areas due to habitat loss, oil spills, and bycatch in fishing nets. Conservation efforts focus on protecting key wintering and breeding sites and reducing marine pollution.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

1,600,000 individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for large flocks on coastal waters, especially during winter
  • Observe their diving behaviour, as they often submerge for 20-30 seconds at a time
  • Listen for their distinctive grating call, which can help locate them in flight
  • In the UK, watch for them along the eastern and southern coasts during the winter months

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Black Scoter

Family:

Anatidae

Average Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Predators

Adult Common Scoters are preyed upon by large gulls, while eggs and ducklings are vulnerable to foxes, minks, and various bird species including skuas and large gulls.

Did You Know?

  1. Common Scoters can dive to depths of up to 30 meters for food.
  2. They have special salt glands that allow them to drink seawater.
  3. Despite their name, Common Scoters are actually declining in numbers across much of their range.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Melanitta nigra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22724879A132257623.

    View source
  2. 2

    report, 2006: Delany and Scott

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