Black Scoter - Duck Hunting - Wetland Hunting
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Description
This stocky and medium-sized sea-duck has a short tail, broad bill, and a rounded head. Adult males are silky black with a distinct orange knob at the base of their bills, while immature males and females are rich-brown with a pale cheek and blackish cap. The black scoter ducks measure 43 to 49 cm in length, weigh approximately 862 – 1,100 g, and have a 70 – 72 cm wingspan.
Habitat
In summer, these birds thrive in seacoasts and coastal tundra. However, in winter, they prefer living along exposed coastlines and bays. Their breeding habitat includes higher slopes in treeless terrain, opening around lakes, and low-lying wet tundra.
Diet
The diet is mainly insects and mollusks. At sea, the black scoter ducks feed on mollusks, especially the mussels and other bivalves. They also feed on marine worms, crustaceans, and echinoderms. These birds feed on aquatic insects, mollusks, fish eggs, and some plant material in summer. The black scoter ducks forage by diving and swimming underwater. They rely on their feet to propel forward, although the wings may be folded or partly folded to ease movement.
Nesting
It is common for several males to court one female by surrounding her on water. Male displays include rushing along the water surface with hunched back, head low, and bowing jerkily. Males also make some calls and quickly snap their tails into a vertical position over their back. The female usually builds the nest on the ground near a source of water. Sometimes, the nest site can be on a ridge on a tundra or a hummock hidden by a low scrub or grass. The shallow depression is lined with plant material and down.
Females lay 7 to 8 whitish to pale buff eggs. Incubation is by females for 27 to 33 days. The young ducklings leave the nest shortly after hatching to look for food and water. Females tend to the young and brood them at night. The young make their first flight after 6 to 7 weeks.