Surf Scoter
Melanitta perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758)
FS
SURSC
2140
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
![Surf Scoter, Sarah Kelman Surf Scoter, Sarah Kelman](https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/birdfacts/00087_Surf%20Scoter_Sarah%20Kelman.jpg)
This distinctive seaduck, which breeds in the far north of North America and winters south to Florida and California, is a scarce visitor to Britain & Ireland.
Records from Britain & Ireland mostly fall between October and March, although records off the Aberdeen coast tend to be a little earlier.
Intermediate in size between Common and Velvet Scoters and with a large bill that gives this species a heavy-headed appearance.
Identification
Surf Scoter identification is often straightforward. The following article may help when identifying Surf Scoter.
Identifying Scoters
![](https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content_view/public/shared_images/bird_id_videos/bto-bird-id-scoters.jpg?itok=5BIFMtj9)
Scoters are known to most of us as winter visitors, usually far off shore. How can we tell the difference between the species, when we see them far out to sea in poor viewing conditions? It's surprisingly easy!
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Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
DISTRIBUTION
Surf Scoters are scarce vagrants, with records from many coastal regions.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
No. occupied in winter | 35 |
% occupied in winter | 1.2 |
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
This vagrant has been recorded in several atlases so we have been able to map distribution changes. However, as a rarity these may not show a consistent pattern of change.
% change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +150% |
SEASONALITY
Surf Scoter is a scarce vagrant, recorded throughout the year.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Surf Scoter, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
Field Codes ![]() |
2-letter: FS | 5-letter code: SURSC | Euring: 2140 |
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Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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