Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2016-46
| Common name: |
Black Scoter |
| Scientific name: | Melanitta americana |
| Date: | 11-22-2016 |
| Time: | 3:30pm |
| Length of time observed: | 5 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | female? |
| Location: | Antelope Island Causeway, Great Salt Lake |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4200ft |
| Distance to bird: | 500m+ |
| Optical equipment: | Vortex Diamonback 20-60X Spotting Scope |
| Weather: | Sunny, calm, 45F |
| Light Conditions: | Excellent |
| Description: Size of bird: | medium sized duck |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | typical duck shpe |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | dark brown body, blackish crown and bill, with white cheeks |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | typical duck bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Medium sized duck mixed with Goldeneye and Scaup way out on the lake, all brown
body, dark brown crown, bright white cheeks, dark blackish bill (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none heard |
| Behavior: | swimming and diving on Great Salt Lake |
| Habitat: | open salt water of the Great Salt Lake |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Only similar duck is a male Ruddy Duck in non-breeding plumage, but Ruddy Ducks are much smaller, with a short stout body, and different head shape, prominent concave forehead. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Many |
| References consulted: | Memory |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 688 East 700 South #105, SLC, UT 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | none |
| Date prepared: | 11-22-16 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |