Feathered Action: Black Scoter Courtship

The Black Scoter is a sea duck that winters along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America. They begin courting mates in December and you can hear the males distinctive call as large flocks gather together. The males are easy to spot with the bright orange knob on their bill.

Males perform courtship displays by rushing across the water, sometimes taking a short flight, and end up approaching a female with much splashing. Females will rush at him if they don’t want his attentions or join in the display if they do. Or they may ignore him entirely. Sometimes an entire flock will engage in a mass display like this.

The short flights end in an exaggerated landing with the head held high.

This male finishes his display with a head long rush but the females don’t seem all that impressed.