Surf Scoter

Melanitta perspicillata

The Surf Scoter is a sea duck found in North America. It is known for its striking appearance, with a bold black and white plumage. The male has a distinctive swollen bill with a colorful knob at the base. These ducks are strong divers and feed primarily on mollusks and crustaceans. They breed in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska, and winter along the coasts of the United States. Surf Scoters are often seen in large flocks, riding the waves and diving for food. While their population is relatively stable, they face threats from oil spills and habitat degradation.

Habitat: Coastal waters