white-winged scoter

The white-winged scoter (Melanitta deglandi) is a large, common sea duck belonging to the diving duck group. Males are typically shiny black with a white speculum on the wing and a white spot under the eye. These ducks are strong swimmers and divers, primarily inhabiting marine environments except during the breeding season. They are found in a near circumpolar distribution north of the Equator. Scoters primarily feed on marine animals like clams, with plant material making up only about 10 percent of their diet. They may be observed feeding in mixed flocks with other scoter species.12