Common Scoter

Melanitta nigra

The Common Scoter is a medium-sized sea duck found in coastal marine habitats of the northern hemisphere. Males are mostly black with a yellow knob at the base of the bill, while females are brown with pale cheeks. They are strong divers and feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. Breeding occurs in freshwater marshes and lakes in northern Europe and Asia. During the non-breeding season, they migrate to coastal waters. The Common Scoter is vulnerable to oil spills and habitat degradation, and its population is declining in some regions.

Habitat: Coastal marine habitats