Black Scoter vs Stejneger's Scoter

Black Scoter

Melanitta americana

Large1.1 kgWetland

This large sea duck is characterised by its bulky shape and large bill. The adult male is all black with a very bulbous bill which is mostly yellow. The female is a brown bird with pale cheeks, very similar to female common scoter. The adult female averages about 980 g (2.16 lb) and 45 cm (18 in) in length, while the adult male is on average 1,100 g (2.4 lb) and 49 cm (19 in) in length. This species can be distinguished from other scoters, apart from common scoter, by the lack of white anywhere on the drake, and the more extensive pale areas on the female. Voice: The black scoter and common scoter have diagnosably distinct vocalisations.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: US Dept of Energy · Public domain

Stejneger's Scoter

Melanitta stejnegeri

Huge1.8 kgWetland

There are a number of differing characteristics of Stejneger's scoter and the white-winged scoter. Males of the white-winged scoter have browner flanks, dark yellow coloration of most of the bill and a less tall bill knob, approaching the velvet scoter. The male Stejneger's scoter has a very tall knob at the base of its mostly orange-yellow bill.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Kim, Hyun-tae · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black Scoter and Stejneger's Scoter.