White-winged Scoter
Melanitta deglandi
The White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) is a common ducks, swans, and geese found in 17 countries, weighing about 1.8 kg. The white-winged scoter is a large sea duck.
About the White-winged Scoter
The white-winged scoter is a large sea duck. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek melas "black" and netta "duck". The species name commemorates French ornithologist Côme-Damien Degland.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-winged Scoter?
- The white-winged scoter is one of three North American scoter species and the largest species of scoter. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-winged Scoter?
- The White-winged Scoter is a huge sized bird weighing about 1.8 kg.
- Where can you see a White-winged Scoter?
- The White-winged Scoter occurs in 17 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Iceland and Sweden.
- What birds look similar to a White-winged Scoter?
- The White-winged Scoter is most easily confused with the Common Scoter, the Black Scoter and the Velvet Scoter.
- Is the White-winged Scoter endangered?
- The White-winged Scoter is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the White-winged Scoter for real
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