Velvet scoter

Velvet scoter
	Male
	Female
Conservation status
	; Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Anseriformes
Family:	Anatidae
Genus:	Melanitta
Subgenus:	Melanitta
Species:	M. fusca
Binomial name
	Melanitta fusca; (Linnaeus, 1758)
	Range of M. fusca Breeding Non-breeding
Synonyms
	Anas fusca Linnaeus, 1758

The velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca), also called a velvet duck,^[2] is a large sea duck, which breeds over the far north of Europe and Asia west of the Yenisey basin. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek melas "black" and netta "duck". The species name is from the Latin fuscus "dusky brown".^[3]

A small, isolated population nests in eastern Turkey. Stejneger's scoter and the white-winged scoter are sometimes considered allied with the velvet scoter, and its two constituent subspecies are then known as M. f. stejnegeri and M. f. deglandi. Velvet, Stejneger's, and white-winged scoter, along with the surf scoter, are placed in the subgenus Melanitta, distinct from the subgenus Oidemia, black scoter and common scoters.

It winters farther south in temperate zones, Europe as far south as Great Britain, and on the Black and Caspian Sea. Small numbers reach France and northern Spain. It forms large flocks on suitable coastal waters. These are tightly packed, and the birds tend to take off together. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

The lined nest is built on the ground close to the sea, lakes or rivers, in woodland or tundra, and typically contains 7–9 eggs. This duck dives for crustaceans and molluscs.

It is characterised by its bulky shape and large bill. It is the largest scoter at 51–58 cm. The male is all black, except for white around the eye and a white speculum. It has a bulbous yellow bill with a black base. The females are brown birds with two pale patches on each side of the head and white wing patches.

The velvet scoter is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

References

^ Template:IUCN
^ Buczacki, Stefan (2005) Fauna Britannica, Hamlyn, London.
^ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 167, 246. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.

External links

Velvet Scoter, RSPB

[1] Template:IUCN

[2] Buczacki, Stefan (2005) Fauna Britannica, Hamlyn, London.

[job90-3] Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 167, 246. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.

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