Fauna Flora Photography

Black Scoter Melanitta americana

A large sea duck, characterised by its bulky shape and large bill. The species breeds in the far North of Canada, in Labrador and Newfoundland and migrates into more moderate regions South. Dives for crustacean and mollusks.

Specs

Length45-52cm
Weight1.2-2kg
Wingspan80-90cm

Common Names

GermanMelanitta americana
EnglishBlack Scoter
FrenchMacreuse noire
SpanishNegrón americano

Taxonomy

OrderAnseriformes
FamilyAnatidae
SpeciesMelanitta americana

How to Identify

Drake is completely black with a bulky yellow beak. Female is brown with pale cheeks.

Black Scoter (Melanitta americana) - Tadoussac - 2018-05-20

Where and When to Spot

I observed this species in May at the coast in Tadoussac.

Last updated on 2023-12-15. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.