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Latin name

Melanitta nigra

Family

Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Overview

An all dark seaduck, the male is totally black and the female lighter, with a pale face. They are often seen as large bobbing rafts offshore, or long straggling lines flying along the coast. The UK breeding population of this small diving seaduck has substantially declined and it is now a Red List species. Its winter populations are vulnerable to oilspills.

Where to see them

In the breeding season it favours small lochs in N and W Scotland, especially the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland. In winter it is found off the UK coast with concentrations in Carmarthen and Cardigan Bays, along the Moray Firth, and along the North Norfolk coast.

When to see them

Can be seen offshore all year round but large numbers arrive from October, leaving from March. Most likely to be found on breeding grounds in June and July.

What they eat

Molluscs

Estimated numbers

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

In the UK

Scotland (breeding) and around UK coast in winter

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)

2 illustrations 12

Male

Female

Similar birds

Velvet scoter