Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2006-14a(R82)
(Transcribed by M. G. Moody)
| Common name: |
Black Scoter (Common Scoter) |
| Scientific name: | Melanitta nigra |
| Date: | November 13, 1982 |
| Time: | 9:30 A.M. to 10:05 A.M. |
| Length of time observed: | [35 min.] |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | Female |
| Location: | Antelope Island - Gt. Salt Lake Causeway |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 15 yards (closest) to 75 yds. |
| Optical equipment: | 7 x 50 Binocs; 20 x spotting scope |
| Weather: | |
| Light Conditions: | Overcast |
| Description: Size of bird: | About the same size as a wigeon or a redhead (13-14 inches) |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Duck-shaped (not as chunky looking as a golden eye, but longer than a ruddy) |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Crown was very dark, almost blackish & contrasted with a smudgy white cheek that extended into neck region before blending with darker brownish gray breast. Tack & flanks were all brownish-gray. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Uniformly dark gray. Shape- not as heavy as in other scoter sp. & not like a Ruddy Duck either. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Wings: Dark brownish black - In flight , due to sex of bird & inadequate
light the paler flight feathers were somewhat muted. Tail: Shortish & dark. Feet: darkish & Blackish |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | No Sounds |
| Behavior: |
Observed it swimming on water. Then it would dive & surface 10-20 yards
away from where it went down. Flew a couple of times, so we knew it wasn't an injured bird. |
| Habitat: | Open water on the Gt. Salt Lake, south side of the causeway about 1/2 mile from Antelope Island. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Ruddy Duck - Size is smaller Coloration of female: white cheek patch is whiter & restricted to cheek area. Breast coloration is lighter brown. Size - Ruddy is smaller Flight - Ruddy really patters across water to get airborne. This one was smoother in getting off water & didn't show lighter underparts as does the ruddy. Longish profile in flight compared to ruddy. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
None - Lifer |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | Notes made during observation |
| Observer: | Merrill Webb |
| Observer's address: | 1063 East 400 North, Orem, Ut. 84057 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Mark Bromley, Mike Tove, Ella Sorensen |
| Date prepared: | Nov. 13 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: | 2nd state record |