White-winged Scoter

The white-winged scoter (Melanitta deglandi) is a large sea duck. The male is all black, except for white around the eye and a white speculum. The bill is orange and red with a large black knob at the base. It takes 3 years for definitive (adult) plumage to be attained - second-year males resemble adult males but exhibit reduced eye markings and have browner flanks. Females are brownish overall and best distinguished from other scoters by the feathered gape and body shape. The facial pattern in female-type birds is highly variable - younger individuals have conspicuous white spots in front and behind the eye, while adults may lack these patches and appear entirely chocolate brown in winter. Juveniles resemble females but have more distinct facial patches and a mottled white belly. The greater secondary coverts of juvenile males have more extensive white than juvenile females which exhibit little to no white fringing.