About the Surf Scoter
The surf scoter is a large sea duck native to North America. Adult males are almost entirely black with characteristic white patches on the forehead and the nape and adult females are slightly smaller and browner. Surf scoters breed in Northern Canada and Alaska and winter along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America. Those diving ducks mainly feed on benthic invertebrates, mussels representing an important part of their diet.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl (Anatidae) |
| Species | Melanitta perspicillata |
| Species Codes | sursco, SUSC |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Surf Scoter belong to?
The Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) belongs to the Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl family (Anatidae), in the order Anseriformes.
How can I identify the Surf Scoter?
The surf scoter is a large sea duck native to North America. Adult males are almost entirely black with characteristic white patches on the forehead and the nape and adult females are slightly smaller and browner. Surf scoters breed in Northern Canada and Alaska and winter along the Pacific and Atla...
Where can I report a Surf Scoter sighting?
You can log sightings of Surf Scoter on eBird (ebird.org) using species code sursco, or on iNaturalist.
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More Birds in Order Anseriformes
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