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The Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra) is a large sea duck, 44-54 cm in length, which breeds over the far north of Europe, Asia and North America. There are two subspecies; the American race M. n. americana, known as the Black Scoter, is sometimes given specific status.

It winters further south in temperate zones, on the coasts of the northern USAThe United States of America also referred to as the United States U. America ¹ or the States is a federal republic in central North America, stretching from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. It shares land borders with Canada in, Europe as far south as Great BritainGreat Britain (often abbreviated as Britain is an island lying off the western coast of Europe, comprising the main territory of the United Kingdom. Great Britain is also used as a political term describing the combination of England, Scotland, and Wales,, and Asia as far south as China. It forms large flocks on suitable coastal waters. These are tightly packed, and the birds tend to take off together. Some birds may over-winter on the Great LakesThe Great Lakes are a group of five large lakes on or near the United States- Canadian border. They are the largest group of fresh water lakes in the world, and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system is the largest fresh-water system in the world. They are s.

The lined nest is built on the ground close to the sea, lakes or rivers, in woodland or tundra. 5-7 eggs are laid.

It is characterised by its bulky shape and large bill. The male is all black with a bulbous bill. In Black Scoter, the bill is more bulbous and more extensively yellow. The female is a brown bird with pale cheeks.

This species can be distinguished from other scoters by the lack of white anywhere on the drake, and the more extensive pale areas on the female.

This species dives for crustaceans and molluscs; it also eats aquatic insects and small fish when on fresh water.