Black Scoter
Melanitta americana
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAnseriformes (Waterfowl)
- FamilyAnatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
- GenusMelanitta (Scoters)
- SpeciesMelanitta americana (Black Scoter)
About the Black Scoter
The black scoter or American scoter (Melanitta americana) is a large sea duck, 43 to 49 cm (17 to 19 in) in length. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek melas "black" and netta "duck". The species name is from the Latin for "American".
Together with the common scoter M. nigra, it forms the subgenus Oidemia; the two are sometimes considered conspecific, the black scoter then being referred to as M. nigra americana. Its French name, used in parts of its Canadian range, is macreuse noire (also meaning "black scoter"). The species is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
This large sea duck is characterised by its bulky shape and large bill. The adult male is all black with a very bulbous bill which is mostly yellow. The female is a brown bird with pale cheeks, very similar to female common scoter. The adult female averages about 980 g (2.16 lb) and 45 cm (18 in) in length, while the adult male is on average 1,100 g (2.4 lb) and 49 cm (19 in) in length.
This species can be distinguished from other scoters, apart from common scoter, by the lack of white anywhere on the drake, and the more extensive pale areas on the female. The black scoter... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Saguaro National Park
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
American Wigeon
Mareca americana
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Cinnamon Teal
Spatula cyanoptera
Common Teal
Anas crecca
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta
Gadwall
Mareca strepera
Mexican Duck
Anas diazi
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescens
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acadia National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Cape Breton Highlands National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 3 | Katmai National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Redwood National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Great Bear Rainforest | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 6 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 7 | Gros Morne National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 8 | Pacific Rim National Park Reserve | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 9 | Point Pelee National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 10 | Wrangell-St. Elias National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 11 | Kenai Fjords National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 12 | Olympic National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 13 | Channel Islands National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 14 | Everglades National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 15 | Isle Royale National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 16 | Big Cypress National Preserve | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 17 | Denali National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 18 | Vatnajokull National Park | 🇮🇸 Iceland | |
| 19 | Shenandoah National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 20 | Wadden Sea National Park | 🇩🇪 Germany |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Black Scoter in Saguaro National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Black Scoter sighting in Saguaro National Park, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Black Scoter in Saguaro National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Black Scoter in Saguaro National Park in our monthly data.