Common Scoter
Melanitta nigra
Fairly common sea duck; feeds by diving. Breeds on tundra lakes; winters at sea in coastal bays, estuaries, harbors. Rarely seen inland on fresh water, mainly during migration periods. Occurs locally in flocks of hundreds, but also found as singles and small groups. Male distinctive: wholly black with raised knob at base of bill, yellow wedge on top of bill. Female dark brown overall with pale cheeks. In flight looks all-dark, often flying in rather tight groups low to fairly high over the sea.
Identification
It is characterised by its bulky shape and large bill. The male is all black with a bulbous bill which shows some yellow coloration around the nostrils. The female is a brown bird with pale cheeks, very similar to female black scoter.<p>This species can be distinguished from other scoters, apart from black scoter, by the lack of white anywhere on the drake and the more extensive pale areas on the female.<p>Black scoter and common scoter have diagnosably distinct vocalisations.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Melanitta nigra
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Melanitta
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PAL : se Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, and n, w Scandinavia to Olenyok River (nc Siberia)
- Non-breeding range
- to Baltic and North sea coasts, and Atlantic coast to nw Africa
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
It winters farther south in temperate zones, on the coasts of Europe as far south as Morocco. It forms large flocks on suitable coastal waters. These are tightly packed, and the birds tend to take off and dive together.<p>The lined nest is built on the ground close to the sea, lakes or rivers, in woodland or tundra. 6-8 eggs are laid.<p>This species dives for crustaceans and molluscs; it also eats aquatic insects and small fish when on fresh water.<p>The common scoter is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
South American Painted-Snipe
Nycticryphes semicollaris
Distinctive and attractive, but a rarely seen denizen of fresh and brackish wetlands, especially with shallow water and low to knee-high grasses; also found on lakeshores with taller reeds and rushes. Occasionally seen feeding quietly at edge of vegetation, but mostly seen when flushed from close range. Flies up silently with stiff flicking wingbeats and brief glides, long legs trailing, and drops back to cover usually not far away. Note bold white spots on wings and droop-tipped bill. Related to jacanas, not closely related to the typical snipe.
Rufous Treecreeper
Climacteris rufus
Distinctive bird with massive feet, most often seen running up and down the sides of trees in eucalypt forest and shrubland of southwestern Australia to the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia. Upperparts dark brown, reddish-brown coloration in face and underparts, unlike any other treecreeper, with small patch of black-and-white streaking on breast. In flight, shows bold tan wingbars. Calls include a slow, repeated "peeep…peeep…peeep."
Black-tailed Treecreeper
Climacteris melanurus
Distinctive very dark bird with large feet, most often seen running up and down the sides of trees in dry forest, savanna, and moist lowland forest of northern Australia, where it is the only treecreeper species. Uniformly rich, dark brown, almost black, with white streaks on the throat. In flight. shows bold tan wingbars. The western subspecies (wellsi) has reddish-brown underparts. Call is a slow, repeated "pip pip pip," usually followed by a fast trill of the same note.
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