Parques de Portugal

<p> <em>Melanitta nigra</em> (Linnaeus, 1758)</p>

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  • Common Scoter

  • Melanitta nigra (Linnaeus, 1758)

  • Anatidae

  • The Common Scoter is a diving duck with a short beak and neck and yellow eyes. The male is black during the mating season, with a white belly and flanks, light beak and a back crest which hangs towards its neck. The female is dark brown with a white belly, lighter face and a very reduced crest. It can grow to be 54cm long and have 84 cm span.

  • S. Jacinto Dunes Nature Reserve

  • Centro

  • Endangered

  • The Common Scoter inhabits coastal areas with shallow waters, such as estuaries, coastal ponds and the sea. In Portugal it exists mainly in the coast between Cabo da Roca and Foz do Douro, being more frequent on the Ria de Aveiro.

  • Autumn and Winter

  • The Common Scoter feeds on molluscs and occasionally on other aquatic invertebrates, small fish and vegetable matter. The food is obtained while diving, by swimming.

  • The Portuguese population of this species is estimated to be between 5900 and 20170 individuals.