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      male ring ouzels are particularly distinctive with their black plumage with a pale wing panel and striking white breast band.

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  • Velvet scoter

Velvet scoter

Velvet scoter
Velvet scoter
Velvet scoter (first-winter plumage)
Velvet scoter (first-winter plumage)
  • Scientific name: Melanitta fusca
  • Bird family: Ducks, geese and swans
  • UK conservation status: Red
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Key information

The velvet scoter is a black seaduck. It has a long bill, a thick neck and a pointed tail. In flight, it shows a white patch on the rear of the wing - this can also be seen when birds sitting on the sea flap their wings. This Schedule 1 species does not breed in the UK, but is a winter visitor to the east coast, especially in Scotland, Norfolk and north-east England. The large flocks in winter are vulnerable to oil pollution and depleted fish stocks.

What they eat:

Shellfish, crabs, sea urchins, fish and insect larvae.

Measurements:

Length:
52-59cm
Wingspan:
90-99cm
Weight:
1.1-2kg

Population:

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.
UK wintering:
2,500 birds

Identifying features:

Velvet scoter

Male and female velvet scoter
Feather colour: Black Brown White
Leg colour: Brown Green Orange
Beak: Black Brown Orange Yellow Long Duck-like Chunky
Natural habitats: Marine and intertidal

Similar birds:

Common scoter, male
Common scoter
Eider male
Eider

Where and when to see them

The best place to look is from seawatching points on the east coast, particularly from Norfolk northwards. Birds may be seen in small groups, often loosely associated with flocks of common scoters.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Velvet scoter distribution map

Velvet scoter can be seen in winter.

  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

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