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Difference between revisions of "White-winged Scoter" - BirdForum Opus

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[[Image:Velvet_Scoter.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Male White-winged Scoter (American)<br />Photo by {{user|digitalbirder|digitalbirder}}<br />White Rock, [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]]]
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[[Image:Velvet_Scoter.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Male<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|digitalbirder|digitalbirder}}<br />White Rock, [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]], 19 February 2005]]
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;[[:Category:Melanitta|Melanitta]] fusca
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;[[:Category:Melanitta|Melanitta]] deglandi
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'''Includes Velvet Scoter'''
 
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
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51-58cm.  Male: Black, white 'tear drop' just behind the eye, yellow long bill,  thick neck and  pointed tail. In flight, it shows a white patch on the rear of the wing. Female: brown and somewhat scaly looking, with two pale spots in the head, one on the auriculars, one between eye and bill.
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[[Image:Female White-winged Scoter.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Female<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Jim+F|Jim F}}<br />Hamilton, [[Ontario]], [[Canada]], 30 January 2015]]
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====Notes on distinguishing males of the subspecies====
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Length 51-58cm (20-22¾ in), weight 1200-1800 g<br />
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*''deglandi'': clear knob at the base of the bill, with the yellow-orange part relatively short, so that the eye looks set further back on head than ''fusca''. The white around the eye is shaped as a checkmark, pointed up at the rear end. The colored part of the bill is orange with the top parts looking yellow. The crown is highest in front of the eye. When seen well, flanks will be brown in contrast to black back and breast.  
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'''Male'''
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[[Image:Velvet_Scoter_Flight_by_jtwood.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Male White-winged Scoter (European) in flight<br />Photo by {{user|jtwood|jtwood}}<br />Location: East Lothian, [[Scotland]], [[UK]], January 2008]]
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*Black overall plumage
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*''stejnegeri'': Head shape closer to eider in shape, with a long, sloping forehead. White around eye similar to or longer than ''deglandi''. It has a clear knob on the bill, further forward than ''deglandi'', and the colored parts are mostly red with yellow "lipstick" below. Flanks are black.
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*White 'tick' just below and behind the eye
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*''fusca'': the least knob on the bill, and the least white around and behind the eye; almost no white above the eye. The colored section of the bill is yellow and relatively long and the distance from the base of that to the eye is short, producing the impression that the eye is positioned relatively far forward on the head. The crown looks highest above the eye.
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*Long yellow bill
 +
*Thick neck
 +
*Pointed tail<br />
 +
'''Female'''
 +
*Dusky brown upperparts
 +
*Scaly-looking brownish-grey underparts
 +
*Two pale spots in the head, one on the [[Topography#Heads|auriculars]], one between eye and bill<br />
 +
'''Juvenile''' a paler version of female
 +
====Notes on distinguishing males of White-winged Scoter, Velvet Scoter, and [[Stejneger's Scoter]]====
 +
*'''Velvet Scoter''' (''M. fusca''): the least knob on the bill, and the least white around and behind the eye; almost no white above the eye. The coloured section of the bill is yellow and relatively long, and the distance from the base of that to the eye is short, producing the impression that the eye is positioned relatively far forward on the head. The crown looks highest above the eye.
 +
*'''White-winged Scoter''' (''M. deglandi''): clear knob at the base of the bill, with the yellow-orange part relatively short, so that the eye looks set further back on head than [[Velvet Scoter]]. The white around the eye is shaped as a checkmark, pointed up at the rear end. The coloured part of the bill is orange with the top parts looking yellow. The crown is highest in front of the eye. When seen well, flanks will be brown in contrast to black back and breast.  
 +
*'''Stejneger's Scoter''' (''M. stejnegeri''): Head shape closer to [[Common Eider]] in shape, with a long, sloping forehead. White around eye similar to or longer than [[White-winged Scoter]]. It has a clear knob - almost like a small Rhinoceros horn - on the bill, further forward than ''M. deglandi'', and the coloured parts are mostly red with yellow "lipstick" below. Flanks are black
 +
 
 +
'''Females''' are much harder to distinguish, only determinable at the closest range; '''Velvet Scoter''' has a slightly concave forehead with no basal swelling on the bill, '''Stejneger's Scoter''' has a slightly swollen bill base, and '''White-winged Scoter''' a marginally more swollen bill base.
 +
 
 +
====Flight====
 +
In flight, it shows a white patch on the rear of the wing.
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
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Breeds in northern areas around the globe, such as [[Scandinavia]] (especially [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]]), northern [[Asia]], and northern [[North America]].
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Northern North America; winters to coastal southern [[USA]]
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Migrates in winter to areas that have coastal open water, for example in [[Europe]] will be found from Norway to [[Spain]] and east to the Caspian Sea.
 
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
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[[Image:Velvet_Scoter2.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Female "Velvet Scoter", Eurasian ''fusca'' <br />Photo by {{user|Gwynn|Gwynn}}<br />[[Austria]]]]
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This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>.  Formerly considered conspecific with [[Velvet Scoter]] from Northern Eurasia and [[Stejneger's Scoter]] from East Asia.  
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Three subspecies are currently recognized:
 
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*''deglandi'' (White-winged Scoter) occurs in [[North America]] and includes ''dixoni'' which is no longer recognized. 
 
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*''stejnegeri'' is found in Eastern [[Asia]]. This form is also sometimes proposed for recognition as a full species, Asian White-winged or Stejneger's Scoter.
 
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*''fusca'' is found in [[Europe]] and western [[Asia]].
 
−
 
 
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The subspecies ''deglandi'' has in the past and is increasingly again recognized as a full species (for example by the British BOURC), which would keep the name of White-winged Scoter; subspecies ''fusca'' would then become Velvet Scoter. Subspecies ''stejnegeri'' would be a subspecies of ''M. deglandi'' if BOURC is followed, but has also sometimes been considered a full species. Opus follows the developments in the worldwide checklists.  
 
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
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Lakes, coastal waters, estuaries.
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Breeds around fresh water bodies near boreal forests and arctic tundra; sometimes far from the coast. Outside of the breeding season, they are to be found in coastal waters, often near shellfish beds
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
 +
====Action====
 +
Slower and more powerful than [[Common Scoter]].
 
====Diet====
 
====Diet====
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The diet includes shellfish, crabs, sea urchins, fish, insect larvae and plants.
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Their diet includes shellfish, crabs, sea urchins, fish, insect larvae and plants.
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
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It builds a lined nest on the ground close to the sea, lakes or rivers, in woodland or tundra. 7-9 eggs are laid.  
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They build a lined nest on the ground near lakes or rivers, in woodland or tundra. The clutch consists of 7-9 eggs.  
 
====Vocalisation====
 
====Vocalisation====
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<flashmp3>Melanitta fusca (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
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Usually silent
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''[[Media:Melanitta fusca (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
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# Clements, James F. 2007. ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World''. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug19}}#{{Ref-GillDonskerRasmussen20V10.1}}#[http://www.bou.org.uk/recbrlst.html DUDLEY et al.] 2006. The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (7th edition). Ibis 148:526–563 with online updates to 2009
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# [http://www.bou.org.uk/recbrlst.html DUDLEY et al.] 2006. The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (7th edition). Ibis 148:526–563 with online updates to 2009
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#del Hoyo, J., Collar, N. & Kirwan, G.M. (2020). White-winged Scoter (''Melanitta deglandi''). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/467114 on 8 April 2020).
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# R Strack 2010. Fløjlsænder. Fugle i Felten, #1, January 2010, pg 6-7. (in Danish)  
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#R Strack 2010. Fløjlsænder. ''Fugle i Felten'' 1: 6-7, January 2010 (in Danish) .
 +
#[http://www.birdweb.org/BIRDWEB/bird/white-winged_scoter Birdweb.org]
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#{{Ref-Grantetal99}}#{{Ref-Collins5th93}}#Brown, P. W. and L. H. Fredrickson (2020). White-winged Scoter (''Melanitta deglandi''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.whwsco2.01
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
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{{GSearch|Melanitta+fusca}}
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Search the Gallery using the scientific name:
 +
{{GSearch|Melanitta+deglandi}}
 +
<br />
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Search the Gallery using the common name:
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{{GSearch|"White-winged Scoter"}}
 +
{{GS-checked}}
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
  
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[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Melanitta]][[Category:Bird Songs]]
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[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Melanitta]]

Latest revision as of 20:39, 23 February 2022

Male
Photo © by digitalbirder
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada, 19 February 2005
Melanitta deglandi

Identification

Female
Photo © by Jim F
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 30 January 2015

Length 51-58cm (20-22¾ in), weight 1200-1800 g
Male

  • Black overall plumage
  • White 'tick' just below and behind the eye
  • Long yellow bill
  • Thick neck
  • Pointed tail

Female

  • Dusky brown upperparts
  • Scaly-looking brownish-grey underparts
  • Two pale spots in the head, one on the auriculars, one between eye and bill

Juvenile a paler version of female

Notes on distinguishing males of White-winged Scoter, Velvet Scoter, and Stejneger's Scoter

  • Velvet Scoter (M. fusca): the least knob on the bill, and the least white around and behind the eye; almost no white above the eye. The coloured section of the bill is yellow and relatively long, and the distance from the base of that to the eye is short, producing the impression that the eye is positioned relatively far forward on the head. The crown looks highest above the eye.
  • White-winged Scoter (M. deglandi): clear knob at the base of the bill, with the yellow-orange part relatively short, so that the eye looks set further back on head than Velvet Scoter. The white around the eye is shaped as a checkmark, pointed up at the rear end. The coloured part of the bill is orange with the top parts looking yellow. The crown is highest in front of the eye. When seen well, flanks will be brown in contrast to black back and breast.
  • Stejneger's Scoter (M. stejnegeri): Head shape closer to Common Eider in shape, with a long, sloping forehead. White around eye similar to or longer than White-winged Scoter. It has a clear knob - almost like a small Rhinoceros horn - on the bill, further forward than M. deglandi, and the coloured parts are mostly red with yellow "lipstick" below. Flanks are black

Females are much harder to distinguish, only determinable at the closest range; Velvet Scoter has a slightly concave forehead with no basal swelling on the bill, Stejneger's Scoter has a slightly swollen bill base, and White-winged Scoter a marginally more swollen bill base.

Flight

In flight, it shows a white patch on the rear of the wing.

Distribution

Northern North America; winters to coastal southern USA

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species[1]. Formerly considered conspecific with Velvet Scoter from Northern Eurasia and Stejneger's Scoter from East Asia.

Habitat

Breeds around fresh water bodies near boreal forests and arctic tundra; sometimes far from the coast. Outside of the breeding season, they are to be found in coastal waters, often near shellfish beds

Behaviour

Action

Slower and more powerful than Common Scoter.

Diet

Their diet includes shellfish, crabs, sea urchins, fish, insect larvae and plants.

Breeding

They build a lined nest on the ground near lakes or rivers, in woodland or tundra. The clutch consists of 7-9 eggs.

Vocalisation

Usually silent

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Gill F, D Donsker & P Rasmussen (Eds). 2020. IOC World Bird List (v10.1). doi : 10.14344/IOC.ML.10.1. Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
  3. DUDLEY et al. 2006. The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (7th edition). Ibis 148:526–563 with online updates to 2009
  4. del Hoyo, J., Collar, N. & Kirwan, G.M. (2020). White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/467114 on 8 April 2020).
  5. R Strack 2010. Fløjlsænder. Fugle i Felten 1: 6-7, January 2010 (in Danish) .
  6. Birdweb.org
  7. Grant, P.J., K. Mullarney, L. Svensson, D. Zetterstrom (1999) Collins Bird Guide: The Most Complete Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. Harpercollins Pub Ltd ISBN 0 00 219728 6
  8. Peterson, RT, G Mountfort and PAD Hollom. 1993. Collins Field Guide – Birds of Britain and Europe, 5th Revised edition. London: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 978-0002199001
  9. Brown, P. W. and L. H. Fredrickson (2020). White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.whwsco2.01

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