common scoter

9.0

A sea duck with black males and brown females

noun

: somorgujo

The male common scoter is easily recognized by its all-black plumage.

Examples

The common scoter is often seen in coastal waters.
Birdwatchers were thrilled to record a rare sighting of a common scoter on the lake.
A flock of common scoters was spotted off the coast during the winter migration.
Many birdwatchers enjoy spotting the common scoter during migrations.
A flock of common scoters was spotted off the coast during the winter migration.
Birdwatchers were thrilled to record a rare sighting of a common scoter on the lake.
The male common scoter is easily recognized by its all-black plumage.

Synonyms

scoter

vscommon scoter

1 9.9

A large black duck that dives for food near northern coasts

is one specific species within that broader group with defined range and colors

Melanitta nigra

vscommon scoter

Specialized

9.9

A sea duck that dives for food near the coast in northern Europe and Asia

is the everyday English name rather than the Latin form

Surface Forms

common scoter singular

common scoters plural

Morphology

common + scoter

The noun phrase is straightforwardly compositional: 'common' modifies 'scoter' to indicate the (widespread) variety of the diving duck. A B1 learner who knows both constituent words can infer it refers to the ordinary/widespread scoter, following a standard adjective + noun pattern common across languages.

Etymology

Common scoter may come from an old word for 'dark' because the male scoter is mostly black, and the word common means 'found in many places', so the name helps you remember it is the dark sea duck you often see.