>> GENERAL >>>>>
– rather large duck, larger than Mallard
– diurnal/nocturnal migrant
– migrates in small to medium flocks in formation
– sometimes in mixed flocks with Common Scoter
>> VISUAL ID >>>>>
Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca, AD M
BIF1956, 01/03/2007, Baltic Sea, offshore, Martin Grimm
– jet-black stout body and wings with contrasting white secondaries
– short neck and rounded black head with small white eye-patch
– rather flat black/orange-yellow bill
Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca, AD M F
BIF1957, 01/03/2014, Baltic Sea, offshore, Martin Grimm
– AD F with dark brown body and complete black bill
– variably distinct pale markings below and in front of the eye
– M with white, F with dark eyes (same in White-winged Scoter)
Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca, AD M F
BIF1958, 01/03/2014, Baltic Sea, offshore, Martin Grimm
– greyish primaries, white secondaries contrasting to dark underwing coverts (same pattern as in White-winged Scoter)
– M with flesh-coloured rather than pinkish (comp. White-winged Scoter), F with dark feet
Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca, AD M F
BIF1959, 01/03/2014, Baltic Sea, offshore, Martin Grimm
Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca, AD M F
BIF1960, 01/03/2014, Baltic Sea, offshore, Martin Grimm
– primaries of AD usually appear black (silvery in Common Scoter)
>> ACOUSTIC ID >>>>>
calls during migration not yet sound recorded
>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>
Surf Scoter (v)
White-winged Scoter (v)
Common Scoter (v)
Black Scoter (v)
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