Waterfowl

Surf Scoter

Melanitta perspicillata

A stocky sea duck with an oddly shaped, multicolored bill. Males are all black with white patches on the forehead and nape. Common in Kodiak's coastal bays and harbors during winter.

Where to look

Womens Bay, St. Paul Harbor, Chiniak Bay; often in large flocks with other scoters.

Habitat

Boreal forest lakes for breeding; coastal bays and open ocean in winter.

Diet

Mussels, clams, sea urchins, and other marine invertebrates.

Natural history note

Surf Scoters dive through breaking surf and can swallow mussels whole, their gizzards crushing the shells.