Sea Duck Joint Venture
A Conservation Partnership under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan
Sea Duck Joint Venture
Surf Scoter
Melanitta perspicillata
The surf scoter is a stout sea duck. Adult males weigh about 1050 grams (2.3 lbs) and females 900 grams (2 lbs). Adult males are distinguished by their bright, bulbous, multi-colored bills, lustrous velvety black plumage, and conspicuous white patches on the forehead and the back of the head/neck. In immature males, bill coloration is less dramatic than in adults and the white head patches tend to be either entirely absent or much smaller in size.
Sea Duck Information Series fact sheet
Surf Scoter Species Knowledge Summary and Information Needs [PDF]
Surf Scoter Photo Gallery
Surf Scoter Range Map
