The Black Scoter bird, also known as the Common Scoter, is a sea duck that belongs to the Anatidae family. This bird species is endemic to the northern hemisphere and can be found in many places such as North America, Europe, and Asia.
Black Scoters are large ducks with a wingspan of up to 95cm. Females are a dark brown color, while males are black with a distinctive bulbous yellow knob at the base of their beak. This knob is used to attract females during mating season and is only present in males during breeding season.
Black Scoters mostly prefer to reside in coastal areas along rocky shorelines, estuaries, and bays. They feed on a variety of marine organisms such as clams, mollusks, and crustaceans. The bird can dive to depths of up to 20 meters to search for food, and can remain submerged for up to a minute.
During the breeding season, Black Scoters migrate to freshwater lakes and rivers near the forests. They build nests made of twigs, grasses, and leaves among the dense vegetation near the water's edge. The female typically lays around 4-9 eggs that hatch after 27-30 days.
The population of Black Scoters is declining as their habitat is being destroyed and their food sources are being depleted due to coastal development, oil spills, and pollution. As a result, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has categorized the Black Scoter as a species of least concern.
Despite their declining populations, Black Scoters remain a popular species among birdwatchers, who often observe them during their annual migrations. While their numbers may be dwindling, these striking sea ducks remain an important part of our natural world and continue to fascinate and captivate those who encounter them.