White-winged Scoter

Overview

The White-winged Scoter is the bulkiest of the North American scoters, breeding on northern lakes and wintering along ocean coastlines, often alongside other scoter species. Breeding males are mostly black with a distinctive white speculum visible both in flight and often at rest as a pale patch on the folded wing, along with a small comma-shaped white crescent around the eye. Females are brownish with a similar white wing patch and two faint pale facial patches, offering a subtler version of the male's pattern.

Feather Identification

• Wing patch: A bright white speculum on the secondaries is visible both in flight and, often, as a pale patch on the folded wing at rest - the clearest way to separate this species from the all-dark-winged Surf and Black/Common Scoters.
• Eye patch: A small, comma- or crescent-shaped white mark curves around the eye in males, distinct from the larger forehead-and-nape patches of the Surf Scoter.
• Body size: Notably larger and heavier-bodied than other scoters, with correspondingly larger, denser body feathering.
• Female facial patches: Females show two faint pale patches on an otherwise brown face, along with the same white wing patch found in males, though less bright.
• Bill and head shape context: A sloping forehead and heavy bill with an orange tip and black basal knob complement the black-and-white feather pattern.

Plumage Notes

Breeding males are black overall with a bright white wing speculum and a small white comma-shaped eye patch. Females and immatures are brown with a similar but slightly duller wing patch and two faint facial patches. Eclipse males remain mostly black, retaining the white wing patch as a consistent year-round feature. The species undergoes a complete molt after breeding with a flightless period. Juveniles resemble females and gradually develop full adult head patterning.

Habitat & Range

White-winged Scoters breed on lakes across the boreal forest and parkland regions of North America and parts of Asia, nesting on the ground near water, often on islands for protection from predators. In winter, they move to coastal ocean waters, forming large rafts alongside other scoter species along temperate coastlines. The species is migratory, shifting from inland breeding lakes to coastal wintering waters.

Behavior & Field Notes

White-winged Scoters dive to forage on aquatic invertebrates along the seafloor or lake bottom, often in relatively deep water compared to other scoters. They are gregarious in winter, forming large mixed-species rafts with Surf and Black Scoters. Nesting occurs on the ground, frequently on islands where nest predation risk is lower. The species is relatively quiet, with low croaking calls given occasionally, and flight is strong, often in loose lines low over open water.