Velvet scoter Melinitta fusca

Mostly dark duck with white in the wing, often found with common scoter

Habitat: sea

Winter visitor to the UK

Male: large black duck with black and yellow bill, white on wings

Forms flocks with common scoter, often revealing presence by flapping wings; feeds by diving

Eats shrimps, crabs and mussels; flies low and strongly over surface

Nest is a lined hollow in open country often near water; breeds Scandinavia

1 brood June – July; 7-10 creamy eggs