OTHER NAMES: American Scoter
Latin Etymology: Melanitta ("black duck") americana ("American")
Thee adult male Black Scoter (Melanitta americana) at Shiranuka Harbour, Hokkaido, Japan - December 2014
Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 980-1100g / Length: 49cm / Wingspan: 71cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
The Black Scoter was until recently considered as part of the Common Scoter, but has subsequently been split off into a full species. The Black and Common are apparently differentiated primarily by their distinct vocalisations. I first got brief views of this species from the train between Kushiro and Akkeshi but was unable to photograph it due to the movement of the train, but later found a small flock at the mouth of Shiranuka harbour.
Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Melanitta
Subspecies: None - monotypic
- Sighting Locations -
JAPAN - Japanese - クロガモ / Kuro-gamo ("Black Wildduck")
Locally common Winter migrant in harbours on Hokkaido
- TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: One seen on the sea at Akkeshi, a small flock in the harbour at Shiranuka
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