Black Scoter Identification

Adult male

Medium-sized sea duck with a fairly small, straight bill. All black except for yellow knob at base of bill.

Female

Medium-sized sea duck with a fairly small, straight bill. Brownish overall with pale face and neatly delineated dark cap.

Adult males and female

Often found in small flocks, sometimes with other scoter species. Call is a soft whistling. Female lacks yellow knob on bill and has pale cheek with neat dark cap.

Adult male and female

Medium-sized sea duck with a straight, thin bill. In flight, wings are all dark. Breeding males have yellow knob on bill; females have pale cheeks with neat, dark cap.

Immature male

Brownish sea duck with dark-capped head pattern reminiscent of female but yellowish knob at base of bill like adult male.

Adult male

Female

Female

Medium-sized brownish sea duck with a small, straight bill. Distinctive face pattern: pale cheeks and sharply defined dark cap.

Adult male and female (with Surf Scoter)

May occur in flocks with other scoter species. Bill considerably smaller and straighter than Surf Scoter's (second from left).

Habitat

Found mainly in saltwater along rocky coastlines.