Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2006-14b(R82)
(Transcribed by M. G. Moody)
| Common name: |
Black Scoter |
| Scientific name: | Melanitta nigra |
| Date: | 13-14 Nov '82 |
| Time: | midday |
| Length of time observed: | 30+ min. total |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Female |
| Location: | W. end of Antelope Is. causeway, fresh water side |
| County: | |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 15 m. |
| Optical equipment: | Questar 80 x (Minolta XG-7 / Soligor 400mm lens - [photo was "available" but not submitted]) |
| Weather: |
clear cold and very windy 20-30 mph 1st day of sighting - subsequent days clear
& calm. Prior weather & number of days since change: weather front came through the evening previous to the sighting |
| Light Conditions: | Good - but slightly backlighted in some views |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Large, blackish duck with black bill & silvery cheek patch. The cheek patch covered an area from just below the supercilliary area, extended through the cheek and face and ended below the malar region and on face. The bill was black and the remainder of the plumage was dark brownish black. The tail region sloped into the water (rather than sticking up as Ruddy Duck or puddle duck style). In flight, there was no white on the dorsal surface of the wings. The flight was quite heavy and labored compared to that of other ducks in the area. Head large and rounded. It was further noted that neither leg had a band and that both hind toes were intact. In addition, the bird was skittish - all indicating a wild rather than escaped individual. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | Seen diving on occasion. In flight, it tended to take off parallel to the water surface and stayed low to the water in flight. (this is typical of sea ducks ie scoters, eiders, etc.) |
| Habitat: | |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Ruddy Duck: Much smaller and browner; does not have a black bill and the
cheek patch of males is white or pale brownish--white not silvery. Overall
shape different including less rounded head and large bill relative to head and
body than a acoter and entire body shape different. Flight much lighter;
wing-beat very rapid. Gadwall; Much paler colored, white wing pattern and tail side pattern - different body shape Other Scoter: Surf - female has 2 small white spots on face, not cheek
patch Eiders: Female King - more uniformly colored, brownish; lacks distinct cheek
patch |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I've had prolonged, extensive experience with scoters, especially Black and Surf. I usually see several thousand of each (or more) annually. |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | Notes made later from memory |
| Observer: | Michael Tove |
| Observer's address: | Dept. Biol., USU, Logan UT 84322 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Alan Gronon, Ella Sorenson, Mark Bromley, Merrill Webb, others |
| Date prepared: | [received 10 Dec 1982] |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |