Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fusca
The Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) is a common ducks, swans, and geese found in 50 countries, weighing about 1.8 kg. The velvet scoter is a large sea duck, which breeds over the far north of Europe and the Palearctic west of the Yenisey basin.
About the Velvet Scoter
The velvet scoter is a large sea duck, which breeds over the far north of Europe and the Palearctic west of the Yenisey basin. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek melas "black" and netta "duck". The species name is from the Latin fuscus "dusky brown".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada, Morocco, Mongolia, Faroe Islands, Israel, Albania, Jersey, Luxembourg.
When to see it
The Velvet Scoter can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Velvet Scoter?
- The velvet scoter is 51–56 cm (20–22 in) in length and has a wingspan of 90–99 cm (35–39 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Velvet Scoter?
- The Velvet Scoter is a huge sized bird weighing about 1.8 kg.
- Where can you see a Velvet Scoter?
- The Velvet Scoter occurs in 50 countries, including Sweden, Norway, Finland, the United Kingdom and Germany.
- What birds look similar to a Velvet Scoter?
- The Velvet Scoter is most easily confused with the Black Scoter, the Common Scoter and the White-winged Scoter.
- Is the Velvet Scoter endangered?
- The Velvet Scoter is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Velvet Scoter for real
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