Common scoter
| Common scoter | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | Melanitta |
| Subgenus: | Oidemia |
| Species: | M. nigra |
| Binomial name | |
| Melanitta nigra | |
| Range of M. nigra Breeding Resident Non-breeding | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Anas nigra Linnaeus, 1758 | |
The common scoter (Melanitta nigra) is a large sea duck, 43–54 cm (17–21 in) in length, which breeds over the far north of Europe and the Palearctic east to the Olenyok River. The black scoter (M. americana) of North America and eastern Siberia was formerly considered to be a subspecies.