Scientific name: Melanitta fusca (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Ducks
Field characters. 51-58 cm. Resembles Common Scoter but heavier and larger and in flight distinguished by white speculum. Male with small white crescent just below eye and sides of black bill yellow; small knob at base of bill; legs deep red. Female differs from female Common Scoter in two whitish patches on sides of head; bill blackish, legs dull red. Juvenile as adult female but with more white on belly.
Voice. Mostly silent.
Distribution. Fairly rare breeding bird of northern Europe.
Habitat. Breeds close to fresh or brackish waters in boreal and montane biotopes. Winters on coastal waters.
Food. In salt and brackish waters mainly molluscs; also small crabs and other small crustaceans, polychaetes. In freshwater areas, feeds on molluscs, annelids, small fish, and plant matter. Food is obtained by surface-diving up to depth of 5 m.
Eggs. Initially without markings, becoming clouded with yellowish/pale brownish markings during incubation. Ground colour cream/pale brown-yellow/buff/tinged apricot (when fresh). Texture smooth. Shape subelliptical. Size 72 x 48 mm (64-78 x 43-52), weight 92 g.