Bird Sightings: Surf Scoter

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Bird Sightings : Hebrides : Surf Scoter

Surf Scoter

Melanitta nigra

Gaelic: Lacha-bheag-dhubh

Photograph © John Dempsey
Ardvule - North Uist - Outer Hebrides (Western Isles)
16th October, 2006

Juvenile bird

Melanitta perspicillata

Accidental

Large sea duck, bulky shape, large bill.

Male almost all black, white patches nape & forehead. Bulbous red, yellow & white bill.

Females brown birds, pale head patches. Head wedge-shaped & no white in wings helps ID female from female velvet scoter

Fewer than 20 UK records

Breeds: Alaska & Canada

Winters: South USA, Europe & UK

Habitat: Close to sea, lakes, rivers, tundra

Diet: Molluscs, crustaceans, (migration fish eggs)

BTO records

Other local bird photographs

John's Blog of his two week stay in the Uists

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