Surf Scoter

Surf Scoter
Surf Scoter
Adult male
Adult female
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Merginae
Genus: Melanitta
Species: M. perspicillata
Binomial name
Melanitta perspicillata
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) is a large sea duck, which breeds in Canada and Alaska. It is placed in the subgenus Melanitta, along with the Velvet and White-winged Scoters, distinct from the subgenus Oidemia, Black and Common Scoters.

It winters further south in temperate zones, on the coasts of the northern USA. Small numbers regularly winter in western Europe as far south as Great Britain and Ireland. Some birds may over-winter on the Great Lakes. It forms large flocks on suitable coastal waters. These are tightly packed, and the birds tend to take off together.

The lined nest is built on the ground close to the sea, lakes or rivers, in woodland or tundra. 5-9 eggs are laid. An egg may range from 55-79 grams (1.9-2.8 oz) and average 43.9 mm (1.7 inches) in breadth and 62.4 mm (2.5 inches) in length. Occasional (and likely accidental) brood mixing between different females occurs in areas with high densities of nests. Growth is relatively rapid and the incubation period is about 28 to 30 days. The offspring will fledge independently at about 55 days.

The adult female averages about 900 grams (2 lbs.) and 44 cm (17 inches) in length, while the adult male is on average 1050 grams (2.3 lbs.) and 48 cm (19 inches) in length, making this the smallest species of scoter on average. It is characterised by its bulky shape and large bill. The male is all black, except for white patches on the nape and forehead. It has a bulbous red, yellow and white bill. The females are brown birds with pale head patches. The wedge-shaped head and lack of white in the wings helps to distinguish female Surf Scoters from female Velvet Scoters.

With crab

Adult scoters of this species dive for crustaceans and molluscs, while the ducklings live off any variety of freshwater invertebrates.

In November, 2007, an oil spill in San Francisco harbour oiled and killed thousands of birds including many Surf Scoters. About 40 per cent of the birds affected were from this species. Scientists said that while the species is not endangered it has declined 50 to 70 per cent over the past 40 years and this spill could decrease populations since most of the affected birds are healthy adults.[2]

References

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2004). Melanitta perspicillata. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
  2. ^ San Fran oil spill hurts Canadian sea duck population. CBC News. November 23, 2007. [1]


External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • surf scoter — Surf Surf, n. [Formerly spelled suffe, and probably the same word as E. sough.] The swell of the sea which breaks upon the shore, esp. upon a sloping beach. [1913 Webster] {Surf bird} (Zo[ o]l.), a ploverlike bird of the genus {Aphriza}, allied… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • surf scoter — n. an American sea duck (Melanitta perspicillata) living in northern waters: the males are black with white marked faces and necks, the females are grayish brown …   English World dictionary

  • surf scoter — noun : a common American scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) of which the adult male has conspicuous white markings on the head and neck with otherwise black plumage and the female and young are grayish brown called also surf coot * * * Ornith. a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • surf scoter — baltakaktė nuodėgulė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Melanitta perspicillata angl. surf scoter vok. Brillenente, f rus. пестроносый турпан, m pranc. macreuse à lunettes, f ryšiai: platesnis terminas – nuodėgulės …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • surf scoter — surf′ sco ter n. orn a large North American scoter, Melanitta perspicillata: the adult male is black with two white patches on the head …   From formal English to slang

  • surf scoter — Ornith. a large, North American scoter, Melanitta perspicillata, the adult male of which is black with two white patches on the head. [1825 35] * * * …   Universalium

  • surf duck — Scoter Sco ter, n. [Cf. Prov. E. scote to plow up.] (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of several species of northern sea ducks of the genus {Oidemia}. [1913 Webster] Note: The European scoters are {Oidemia nigra}, called also {black duck}, {black diver}, {surf… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Scoter — Sco ter, n. [Cf. Prov. E. scote to plow up.] (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of several species of northern sea ducks of the genus {Oidemia}. [1913 Webster] Note: The European scoters are {Oidemia nigra}, called also {black duck}, {black diver}, {surf duck};… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Surf — Surf, n. [Formerly spelled suffe, and probably the same word as E. sough.] The swell of the sea which breaks upon the shore, esp. upon a sloping beach. [1913 Webster] {Surf bird} (Zo[ o]l.), a ploverlike bird of the genus {Aphriza}, allied to the …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Surf bird — Surf Surf, n. [Formerly spelled suffe, and probably the same word as E. sough.] The swell of the sea which breaks upon the shore, esp. upon a sloping beach. [1913 Webster] {Surf bird} (Zo[ o]l.), a ploverlike bird of the genus {Aphriza}, allied… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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