Sea Duck Joint Venture

A Conservation Partnership under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan

Sea Duck Joint Venture

Sea Duck Joint Venture

White-winged Scoter

Melanitta fusca

The white-winged scoter is the largest of the three scoters. Adult males are 53–58 cm (21– 23 in.) long and weigh 1,360–1,780 grams (3–4 lbs); adult females are slightly smaller. They are distinguished from other scoters by the all-white patch (speculum) on the secondary feathers of their wings, which is obvious in flight and sometimes visible at rest. Adult males are entirely blackish with a small white, teardrop-shaped patch around its eye. Its orange bill has a black hump at the base and is somewhat wedge-shaped. Females and juveniles of both sexes are dark brownish with paler bellies; females and juveniles have a dark bill and variable amounts of white on their head that can appear as spots.

Sea Duck Information Series fact sheet [PDF]

White-winged Scoter Species Knowledge Summary and Information Needs [PDF]

Aerial Identification video

White-winged Scoter Photo Gallery

White-winged Scoter Range Map

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Mission

The Sea Duck Joint Venture promotes the conservation of all North American sea ducks through partnerships by providing greater knowledge and understanding for effective population and habitat conservation and management.