White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca), Lake Havasu, Bill Williams Delta, La Paz County

This White-winged Scoter was discovered and photographed by Jan Richmond on 26 January 2010.  It was photographed again on 18 February by David Vander Pluym. 

White-winged Scoter is a casual fall and winter visitor to Arizona. It is possible that this bird arrived as a result of strong winds associated with a major winter storm.

Note the feathering extending down the bill and the just visible white wing patch.  Neither of the other two scoter species has these features. 

26 January 2010, photo by Jan Richmond

18 February 2010, photo by David Vander_Pluym

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