Black Scoter

Also known as: American Scoter, Common Scoter

46 cm (18") Fairly common. Nests on tundra lakes, rivers, ponds; winters along coasts; casual inland migrant. Also known as American or Common Scoter.

Male: all black diving duck with a bright yellow-orange knob at the base of its black bill; strongly rounded forehead; black feet and legs. In flight, all black with silver wing linings, yellow-orange knob on bill.

Female: dark, grayish-brown diving duck with light face and throat that contrasts with a dark cap and nape; all dark bill with no feathers extending onto it; strongly rounded forehead; black feet and legs. In flight, all dark with silver wing linings.

Song: musical cooing, grating croaks.