Saturday 17 August 2024

White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Melanitta ("black duck") deglandi (for ornithologist Côme-Damien Degland)

Adult female White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024


Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 950-2100g  /  Length: 48-60cm  /  Wingspan: 80cm
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

A close relative of the Velvet Scoter and until fairly recently was considered the same species. White Winged Scoters are found along most of the sub-Arctic coasts of the US and Canada in Winter while breeding on inland lakes in the boreal forests of Western Canada.  White-winged Scoters are capable of diving up to 20m down in search of prey.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Melanitta
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Winters off many coasts, breeds in Southern Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: One female seen in  Anchorage, Alaska 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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