Wildlifeof China
Velvet Scoter
Ducks, Geese & Grebes
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Melanitta fusca
Basic stats
Range
Breeds in northern Europe from Norway to the Yenisey River in central Siberia, and in north-east Kazakhstan
Clutch size
Typically 7–9 creamy-white eggs
Incubation period
27–28 days (female)
Size
51–56cm
Wingspan
90–99cm
The velvet scoter is a large sea duck, 51–56cm long with a wingspan of 90–99cm, with a thick neck, a long broad bill that is partly orange, and a pointed tail. The name comes from the Latin for 'dusky brown'. It breeds over the far north of Europe and the Palearctic west of the Yenisey basin, from Norway to the Yenisey River and in north-east Kazakhstan (Wikipedia, general species account).
The clutch is typically seven to nine creamy-white eggs, incubated by the female for 27–28 days from the laying of the last egg. A lake in Georgia holds the last breeding population in the Caucasus, with 25–35 pairs found in 2017–2018. The source does not describe its status in China (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- Where is the Velvet Scoter found?
- Breeds in northern Europe from Norway to the Yenisey River in central Siberia, and in north-east Kazakhstan
- How many eggs does the Velvet Scoter lay?
- Typically 7–9 creamy-white eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Velvet Scoter incubated?
- 27–28 days (female)
- How big is the Velvet Scoter?
- 51–56cm
- What is the wingspan of the Velvet Scoter?
- 90–99cm