Day 50: White-winged Scoter

Earlier this week, Jared and I took a trip out to the Potomac river to look for two young White-winged Scoters that had been spotted days earlier. Luckily, we were able to find them and got a few decent shots!

White-winged Scoters breed in far north Asia and North America. During the winter they migrate farther south and can be found along the coast western and eastern coasts of the U.S., including Maryland. Normally, they are found farther out at sea, so it can be very difficult to see without going on a boat. On rare occasions, a few will be found more inland, like the ones that we saw.

Male White-winged Scoters are are black except for some white around the eye and a white speculum on each wing. Females are brown. When taking off, White-winged Scoters run and fly along the surface of the water for a short distance.