Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2019-38
| Common name: |
Black Scoter |
| Scientific name: | Melanitta americana |
| Date: | 11-2-2019 |
| Time: | 3:30pm |
| Length of time observed: | 5 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | Female/immature |
| Location: | Antelope Island Causeway |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4200ft |
| Distance to bird: | Closest approach was 30m |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon 10x42 |
| Weather: | sunny-45F |
| Light Conditions: | excellent |
| Description: Size of bird: | medium sized duck |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | typical duck shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | dark brown body, blackish crown and bill, with white cheeks |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | typical duck bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Duck flew in and landed on the outflow of the 2nd bridge about 30m out, noted
the solid white cheeks of a hen Black Scoter. It them began diving and feeding
with some Scaup nearby. Similar in size to Scaup, sooty brown body, blackish
crown and bill, solid white cheeks. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none heard |
| Behavior: | swimming and diving on Great Salt Lake |
| Habitat: | open salt water of the Great Salt Lake |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Only similar duck is a male Ruddy Duck in non-breeding plumage, but Ruddy Ducks are much smaller, with a short stout body, and different head shape, prominent concave forehead. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Many |
| References consulted: |
memory |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Charles Hurd, Lauri Taylor, Vivian Schneggenburger |
| Date prepared: | 11-4-19 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S61128527 |