The White-winged Scoter is a large sea duck that can easily be identified by its heavy, sloping bill and bold white patches in the wing. This magnificent bird is a common sight along ocean coasts, bays, and estuaries during migration and winter. It is the largest of the three scoter species and easily outsizes other sea ducks in winter flocks.
During the breeding season, White-winged Scoters can be found in the boreal forest, usually near lakes and ponds surrounded by shrubs. These remote lakes are typically larger than 125 acres and are surrounded by various species of raspberry, gooseberry, snowberry, rose, nettle, or reed. The surf scoter, on the other hand, nests in the far north where the boreal forest gives way to tundra.
The White-winged Scoter’s diet primarily consists of mollusks, such as clams, mussels, and snails. Additionally, it feeds on crustaceans, aquatic insects, small fish, echinoderms, and marine worms. The bird also eats some plant material, mainly pondweeds and sedges. Young White-winged Scoters feed mostly on aquatic insects at first, then mollusks and some plant material, including sedges, pondweeds, and crowberries.
Male White-winged Scoters are velvety black with a dashing, upturned comma of white around the eye and an orange-tipped bill. Females have a brownish-black head and a mostly gray-brown body with a whitish belly. Juveniles resemble females but have a darker head.
The White-winged Scoter is a fascinating and iconic bird that is easily identifiable by its unique characteristics. While it is most commonly found along ocean coasts during migration and winter, it is also prevalent in the boreal forest during the breeding season. Its diet mainly consists of mollusks, but it also feeds on other aquatic creatures and plant material. The White-winged Scoter is truly a remarkable species and a sight to behold in the wild.
Breeding Habits of White-Winged Scoters
White-winged Scoters breed in the boreal forest, which is a vast region characterized by a cold climate and coniferous trees. They typically choose to nest near lakes and ponds that are surrounded by shrubs and are usually remote and secluded. The lakes where they breed are typically larger than 125 acres in extent and are surrounded by a variety of plant species, including raspberry, gooseberry, snowberry, rose, nettle, or reed. While they occasionally breed in tundra habitats, this is much less common than in boreal forests near lakes and ponds.
The Appearance of the White-winged Scoter
The White-winged Scoter is a large sea duck species that can be distinguished from other scoter species by its size and distinctive features. Here are some detailed descriptions of its physical appearance:
– Size: The White-winged Scoter is one of the largest species of sea ducks, with an average length of 20-23 inches and a wingspan of 32-37 inches.
– Plumage: The adult male White-winged Scoter has a velvety black plumage with a contrasting white patch on the forehead and nape of the neck. Its bill is orange with a black tip, and it has a distinctive white comma-shaped patch around the eye. The adult female has a brownish-black plumage with lighter mottling on the head and neck, and a whitish patch around the eye. Both sexes have white patches on the wings that are visible in flight.
– Bill: The White-winged Scoter has a heavy, sloping bill that is wider at the base than at the tip. Its bill is also longer than that of other scoter species.
– Behavior: The White-winged Scoter is a diving duck that feeds on mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. It is often seen in flocks during the winter months along coastal waters.
The White-winged Scoter is a striking and distinctive sea duck with a bold appearance and unique features.
Conclusion
The White-winged Scoter is a fascinating sea duck that is easily distinguishable from other scoter species due to its large size, heavy, sloping bill, and bold white patches in the wing. These birds breed in the boreal forest near lakes and ponds surrounded by shrubs, while surf scoters nest in the far north tundra. Their diet consists mainly of mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic insects, small fishes, echinoderms, and marine worms, with some plant material. During the breeding season, males have a velvety black plumage, a white comma around the eye, and an orange-tipped bill, which sets them apart from females and juveniles. the White-winged Scoter is a remarkable and unique species that plays an essential role in the aquatic ecosystem.
