Velvet Scoter vs White-winged Scoter

Velvet Scoter

Melanitta fusca

Huge1.8 kgWetland

The velvet scoter is 51–56 cm (20–22 in) in length and has a wingspan of 90–99 cm (35–39 in). It is a relatively large sea duck with a thick neck, a long broad bill and a pointed tail. The plumage of the male is glossy black with large white wing patches and small white patches behind the eye. The bill is partly orange. The female is similar to the male but lacks the gloss on the feathers and is duller and browner.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Maria Kohanovskaya · CC BY 4.0

White-winged Scoter

Melanitta deglandi

Huge1.8 kgWetland

The white-winged scoter is one of three North American scoter species and the largest species of scoter. Females range from 950 to 1,950 g (2.09 to 4.30 lb) and 48 to 56 cm (19 to 22 in), averaging 1,180 g (2.60 lb) and 52.3 cm (20.6 in). The male ranges from 1,360 to 2,128 g (2.998 to 4.691 lb) and from 53 to 60 cm (21 to 24 in), averaging 1,380 g (3.04 lb) and 55 cm (22 in). The white-winged scoter has a wingspan of 31.5 in (80 cm). This species is characterized by its bulky shape and large bill, which is feathered at the gape unlike the blocky bill base of the surf scoter.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Len Blumin from Mill Valley, California, United States · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Velvet Scoter and White-winged Scoter.