Black Scoter vs Surf Scoter

Melanitta americana compared with Melanitta perspicillata

Key Differences

• Black Scoter is Near Threatened while Surf Scoter is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Black Scoter	Surf Scoter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Aves (Birds)	Aves (Birds)
Order same	Anseriformes (Anseriformes)	Anseriformes (Anseriformes)
Family same	Anatidae	Anatidae
Genus same	Melanitta	Melanitta
Species	Melanitta americana	Melanitta perspicillata

Evolutionary Relationship

Black Scoter and Surf Scoter share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Melanitta.

Conservation Status

Black Scoter

NT — Near Threatened

Surf Scoter

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Black Scoter	Surf Scoter
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Black Scoter

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Surf Scoter

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States).

Black Scoter

The Black Scoter (Melanitta americana) is a species in the genus Melanitta. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States