Surf Scoter
| Irish Name: | Scótar toinne |
| Scientific name: | Mellanitta perspicillata |
| Bird Family: | Ducks |
green
Conservation status
Conservation status
Status
A rare winter visitor to all Irish coasts from October to March within flocks of Common Scoter.
Identification
Very similar to Common Scoter and care is needed to distinguish the two species.Slightly larger than Common Scoter and has a similarly all dark body. Adult males can be distinguished by their gaudy bill pattern, as well as small white patches on the forehead and neck. Adult female Surf Scoters have an all dark bill and has a much reduced white patch on the neck. Juveniles are very similar to adult females.
Voice
Generally silent when seen in Ireland.
Diet
Feeds mainly on mussels, clams and crustaceans caught after diving in shallow waters.
Breeding
Does not breed in Ireland. The breeding grounds lie in Arctic Canada and Alaska.
Wintering
The main wintering grounds are the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the United States and Canada. A few birds may cross the Atlantic and can then potentially be seen with Common Scoters off all Irish coasts.
Monitored by
Rare Winter visitor from North America.
There are no regular sites to see Surf Scoters in Ireland and any wintering flock of Common Scoter may potentially hold one or two individuals.
