Velvet Scoter Bird Facts (Melanitta fusca)

The Velvet Scoter is a large sea duck with a distinctive appearance. Males are predominantly velvety black with a white wing patch and a small white eye crescent. They have a bulbous orange bill with a black base and tip.

Females are brown with two light patches on the face. Both sexes have red legs and feet, though these are often submerged. Juveniles resemble females but with duller plumage.

The Velvet Scoter is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Velvet Scoter is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Velvet Scoter can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Velvet Scoter can be found in Coastal habitats.

The Velvet Scoter is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Velvet Scoter is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Velvet Scoter is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Velvet Scoter is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Velvet Scoter is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Velvet Scoter is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Velvet Scoter is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Velvet Scoter is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Velvet Scoters breed in subarctic regions across northern Europe and Asia. During winter, they migrate to coastal waters in temperate zones. They prefer shallow marine areas with abundant shellfish beds.

In the UK, they are winter visitors to eastern coasts, particularly off Scotland and northeast England. Some non-breeding birds may remain in these areas year-round.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Velvet 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

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Norway Poland Romania Russia Sweden Turkey

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Armenia Georgia

Species that pass through the area during migration

Kazakhstan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan

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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.

Agility

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

The Velvet Scoter demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly in aquatic environments. Their ability to dive to depths of 30 metres and manoeuvre underwater to catch prey showcases exceptional dexterity. Additionally, their capacity to fly at speeds up to 75 km/h (46 mph) during migration indicates considerable aerial agility for a large sea duck.

Strength

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

These large sea ducks possess considerable strength, evident in their diving capabilities and ability to crush shellfish with their strong bills. Their robust build, weighing up to 2 kg, and the power required for long-distance migration further support this rating.

Adaptability

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

Velvet Scoters exhibit good adaptability, thriving in both subarctic breeding grounds and temperate coastal wintering areas. Their ability to forage at various depths and consume a range of aquatic prey demonstrates flexibility. However, their vulnerability to habitat changes and marine pollution suggests some limitations in adaptability.

Aggressiveness

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

While Velvet Scoters are not typically aggressive birds, they may display some territorial behaviour during breeding season. Their social nature, often forming large flocks, suggests a generally peaceful disposition. However, like many waterfowl, they likely defend nests and young when necessary.

Endurance

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

The Velvet Scoter shows exceptional endurance. Their long-distance migratory behaviour, ability to dive repeatedly to significant depths, and capacity to withstand harsh subarctic conditions during breeding season all point to remarkable stamina. Their potential lifespan of up to 20 years in the wild further supports this high endurance rating.

Velvet Scoters primarily feed on molluscs, especially mussels and clams. They also consume crustaceans, small fish, and aquatic insects.

Their strong bills are adapted for crushing shellfish, which they swallow whole and grind in their gizzards.

Velvet Scoters are highly social, often forming large flocks on the water. They are excellent divers, plunging to depths of up to 30 meters to forage for food.

During courtship, males perform elaborate head-throwing displays accompanied by soft whistling calls.

Velvet Scoters are generally quiet, but males produce soft whistling calls during courtship, sounding like 'whee-oo'. Females make a harsh 'krrr-krrr' when alarmed. In flight, their wings produce a distinctive whistling sound, aiding in identification.

Breeding occurs in subarctic tundra and taiga regions. Pairs form on wintering grounds before migrating to breeding sites. Females select nest sites on the ground, often near water and concealed by vegetation.

The nest is a shallow depression lined with down. Females typically lay 6-9 olive-buff eggs. Incubation lasts about 27-28 days, performed solely by the female.

Ducklings are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. They can dive and feed independently but remain with the female for protection until fledging at 6-7 weeks.

The Velvet Scoter typically lives for 10 to 12 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 21.5 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

The Velvet Scoter is classified as Vulnerable due to population declines across its range. Threats include oil spills, coastal development, and entanglement in fishing nets.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting key wintering and breeding habitats, and reducing marine pollution.

Look for large flocks on coastal waters, especially during winter
Observe their distinctive diving behaviour
Listen for their soft whistling calls during breeding season
In the UK, the best spots include eastern Scottish coasts and Norfolk

Main predators include large gulls, foxes, and birds of prey such as eagles and falcons.

Velvet Scoters can dive to depths of 30 meters, staying submerged for up to a minute.
Their eyes are adapted to see underwater, helping them locate prey while diving.
Despite their large size, they can fly at speeds of up to 75 km/h (46 mph) during migration.

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