Melanitta fusca
A large, dark sea duck with a bright wing flash, rarer and bigger than its common cousin.
Sea duck · 2,500 breeding pairs (UK)
In most ducks the male (drake) and female (hen) look quite different. Study both to identify any bird.
Black with a striking white wing-bar and a small white tick under the eye.
Dark brown with two pale patches on the face and a white wing-bar.
Photos: Len Blumin · CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Mussels, cockles, crabs and small fish caught on deep dives.
Offshore waters around the UK coast, particularly in the east and north.
Does not breed in the UK; nests by lakes in northern forests.
Winters on UK seas, often alongside common scoter.
Males give a nasal, wheezy whistling call.
Compare with close relatives.
Amber list
🏠
Somateria mollissima
The UK’s largest and heaviest duck, a hardy sea duck famous for the insulating down that lines its nest.
Red list
❄️
Melanitta nigra
A dark sea duck that winters in long, low, fast-flying strings far offshore.
Red list
❄️
Clangula hyemalis
A small, buoyant Arctic sea duck with a needle tail and an astonishing musical voice.