This common sea duck has a thick bill, which forms a straight line from the bill tip to the top of the head. Males: Black overall with white patches on the forehead and nape. The bill is multicolored with red, yellow, white, and a black patch near the base. This colorful bill on a black bird is reminiscent of a puffin. Females: Dark brown with an all dark bill. Two irregular white patches occur on the head, one near the base of the bill and the other behind the eye. This pattern is very similar to that of female White-winged Scoters. But Surf Scoter’s bill is bare, while White-winged Scoter has feathering over the basal half of the bill. Female Surf Scoters occasionally show a light patch on the nape. Immatures: Young birds look like the adult female, but with a light belly.

Length: 43 (cm) Wingspan: 76 (cm)

Voice:

Usually silent. Courtship calls include a rapid kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk, similar to the call of a Northern Flicker.

Habitat:

Nests in freshwater lakes. Winters in shallow coastal waters and estuaries.

Behavior:

Often forms large flocks in coastal wintering areas. Flocks are often segregated by sex. When diving, springs forward with partly open wings.

Feeding:

Dives for mollusks in coastal waters. Entire flock tends to dive simultaneously. Eats aquatic invertebrates on breeding grounds.