The scoters are stocky seaducks that breed in the far north of Europe, Asia, and North America, and winter further south in temperate zones of those continents.
These ducks form large flocks on suitable coastal waters.
Description:
The males are mostly black and have swollen bills. Females are brown.
Nesting:
They build their nests on the ground – typically close to the sea, lakes, or rivers, in woodland or tundra.
There are five species, grouped into two subgenera:
- subgenus Oidemia (Black and Common Scoters)
- subgenus Melanitta (Surf, Velvet and White-winged Scoter)
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Diet / Feeding:
Scoters dive for crustaceans and mollusks.
Ducks generally feed on larvae and pupae usually found under rocks, aquatic animals, plant material, seeds, small fish, snails and crabs.
