Black Scoter (Melanitta nigra), Parker Dam, La Paz County

This Black Scoter was found by David Vander Pluym on 04 November 2018 and photographed by Lauren Harter on the same date

Casual late fall through winter visitor to Arizona, particularly along the lower Colorado River. This species was annual from 2005 to 2014, but there have been no accepted records in the state since 2014. There are ~30 records for the state.

Dark cap contrasting with clean pale face, thick and long sloping bill typical of scoters, and long all dark body. The all dark flanks are a useful trait for telling this species apart from similar basic plumaged male Ruddy Ducks which would have paler, rufous-tinged flanks. Also note size, comparable to the nearby Surf Scoter.

04 November 2018, photo by Lauren Harter

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