Surf Scoter
Melanitta perspicillata
- Family
- Ducks, Swans, and Geese (Anatidae)
- Order
- Anseriformes
Overview
The surf scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) is a large sea duck native to North America. Adult males are almost entirely black with characteristic white patches on the forehead and the nape and adult females are slightly smaller and browner. Surf scoters breed in Northern Canada and Alaska and winter along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America. They are diving ducks and mainly feed on benthic invertebrates, mussels representing an important part of their diet.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Breeds mainland Alaska through subarctic Canada eastward to Labrador; winters eastern Aleutian Islands to Baja California, and Prince Edward Island to North Carolina.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Surf 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.
