Common Scoter Melanitta nigra

Common Scoter male
Common Scoter male
The Common or Eurasian Scoter is a sea duck which spends summer across Arctic Europe and Siberia and winter off northeast Atlantic coasts. The male, above, has all black plumage and the scientific names both mean black, but the Black Scoter is a closely related species ranging over east Siberia and North America.
Common Scoter female
Common Scoter female
The female Common Scoter, above, is plainish brown with pale cheeks. She has a black bill.
Common Scoter
Common Scoter
Common Scoter
The male has a bulbous, knobbed black bill with a central bright yellow area and has a yellow eye ring.
Common Scoter
Common Scoter
Common Scoter
More males
Common Scoter
Common Scoter
Common Scoter
More females
Common Scoter
Common Scoter
Common Scoter
The female above has an aberrant white eye ring and chin.
Common Scoter
Common Scoter
Common Scoter
Common Scoters are diving ducks which gather together in flocks.