White-winged Scoter

Melanitta fusca

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Identification

Field notes

53 cm (21") Fairly common and widespread. Nests on lakes and ponds; winters along coasts, uncommon on Great Lakes. Largest scoter with a slightly rounded forehead.

Male: black head has white "teardrop" below white eye; bill orange at tip with black knob at base; black neck and body with white wing patch, not always visible when wings are closed.

Female: large dark bill; may have two white facial spots; all grayish-brown with a white wing patch, not always visible when wings are closed.

In flight: all dark with bright white speculum; migrates in long line formations.

Song: bell-like notes, thin whistling note.

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

White-winged Scoter and other ducks in flight over ice

Credit: ManyBirds Channel

White-winged Scoters

Credit: jvhigbee

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

White-winged Scoter (Female)

1 rule

Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 4

In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Unknown
What colour was the SIDE ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: Light area between the bill and the eye · Light area over, below, behind or around the eye · NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Duck or Goose-like

result:776-white-winged-scoter-female:1:1 Source: 776 White-winged Scoter (Female), row 1

White-winged Scoter (Male)

1 rule

Rule 1 14 criteria confidence 4

In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Unknown
What colour was the SIDE ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: Light area over, below, behind or around the eye · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: White or light gray · Yellow or olive · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Duck or Goose-like

result:775-white-winged-scoter-male:1:1 Source: 775 White-winged Scoter (Male), row 1