Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
B7, B29, B30, B40, B94, B97, B129,
D1,D8

Other References

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Seaducks
• Scoters

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Diving Ducks (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Seaducks are generally winter-hardy and sociable. They are preferably kept on a large area of clean, cold, deep water, at least some of which (preferably half the area) should be more than 60cm and preferably more than1m deep. As with other diving ducks, most species are relatively ungainly on land and ponds should have shallow sloping banks. Some cover along the pond edges will generally be appreciated. Preferred nesting sites vary greatly within this group, from open ground nesting to thick vegetation and tree holes.
• Diets of grain, pellets fish and seafood may be used, also bread. These ducks generally need a higher-protein diet than most waterfowl species and high-protein pelleted diets specifically designed for seaducks are now available, although supplementation with fish may still be important particularly for breeding.
• Feeding in troughs containing stones may avoid the development of overgrown bills. Provision of salt water may decrease the incidence of fungal and other infections.
• Ducklings may be given high-protein starter crumbs and live food, and provided with access to deep water for swimming from an early age.
• Scoters are not commonly kept in captivity. Cold, pure water and a high quality diet are thought to be important in their maintenance. In captive conditions they are prone to respiratory infections and particularly to fungal infections. They appear to do well fed on dry commercial diets once acclimatised (in the case of adult-caught birds, for example birds rescued after oiling). They can be aggressive.

(B7, B29, B30, B40, B94, B129, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Surf scoters require a large, deep (1m plus) water area with natural food available to supplement food provided.
• These ducks have been very rarely maintained in captivity.
• They are said to have hybridised with Melanitta fusca - White-winged scoter (B31).

(B8, B31, B97, D1)

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average ring size: L 11.0mm (D8).

Management Techniques

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

--Sometimes abandoned before fledging (B8)

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Breeding North America Mackenzie river delta eastward to Hudson Bay and south to west-central Alaska, southern Yukon, central British Columbia, central Alberta, northern Saskatchewan, west-central and eastern Quebec, Labrador.

Migratory: Winter coast Alaska to central Baja California, Nova Scotia to South Carolina and Florida, also Sonara and Gulf coast, and the Great Lakes (B1, B19, B27)

Casual visitor to Greenland, north-east Siberia, Bering Sea islands.

Vagrants in western Europe as far south as Spain and east to Finland and Czechoslovakia, Atlantic islands, Japan, inland USA, central Mexico, Hawaii, Bermuda. In British Isles, few appear each year, mainly seen Orkneys, Shetland, Fair Isle, but also coasts of Scottish, English, Irish coasts, usually October to March (B25, B27).

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not globally threatened, fairly common, but declining (B1, B8).

Captive Populations

Trade