Common Scoter
Melanitta nigra
LCLeast Concern
- Family
- Ducks, Swans, and Geese (Anatidae)
- Order
- Anseriformes
Overview
The common scoter (Melanitta nigra) is a large sea duck, 43–54 cm (17–21 in) in length, which breeds over the far north of Europe and the Palearctic east to the Olenyok River. The black scoter (M. americana) of North America and eastern Siberia was formerly considered to be a subspecies.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Breeds southeastern Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, and northern and western Scandinavia to Olenyok River (north-central Siberia); winters to Baltic and North sea coasts, and eastern Atlantic coast to northwestern Africa.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Common scoter
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
