Bird Description

Common sea duck similar in behavior to BLSC with more of a tendency to wander into bays and harbors. Like other scoter often dives much of the time for mollusks. Often seen bobbing around offshore. ID: Slightly larger than BLSC but noticeably smaller than WWSC. Appears quite long-bodied and long-necked. Most striking feature is long pointed face. Incredible bill pattern of male suggests colors of a clown's costume. Females are brown with a capped appearance and pale spots in front and behind eye. Very similar to female WWSC, which has a less pronounced cap. Subtly different head shape, slimmer neck, and larger bill with a square edge at the face, are fairly easy to see but easy to overlook. Some females have pale napes. Young birds of both sexes have pale bellies. Young males start to grow in darker feathers through winter and a duller version of adult male bill. By second winter, essentially as adult but a little less white on bill and head and subtly duller. Male bills are brilliant. At distance, white nape is still the clincher. Profile works for all except some WWSC. In flight, weight is all at the back of the undercarriage, neck is long and slim, the head pointed, wings longer, slimmer, and pointed.