The Common Scoter: Close Up HD Footage (Melanitta nigra)

The Common Scoter is a large sea duck found in northern parts of Europe and Asia. With their bulky black bodies and distinctive slopes coming to a point at the rear end, these birds are quite unmistakable. The males have a small bulge on the bill that females lack. Though they nest close to inland freshwater sources like lakes and marshes for breeding, they're very much marine birds. They spend the bulk of their lives out at sea, diving underwater to feed on molluscs, shrimp and little fish. Sadly, this species has seen declining numbers over recent decades due to issues such as oil spills, loss of habitat and disturbance from human activities.

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