A squat, dark seaduck, the common scoter gathers in flocks of several hundred or even thousands in winter, mostly feeding far out to sea. Common scoters are commonly spotted as a line of dark ducks flying low over the water, or as large rafts of black ducks bobbing on the sea.
How to identify
The male common scoter is our only all-black duck, with just a small patch of yellow on the bill. The female is dark brown, with a paler cheek.
Did you know?
Common scoter will dive as deep as 30 metres to hunt for their shellfish prey. While they are under the water, their wings are partially open, helping them to stay balanced.
