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scoter

scoter

1 9.9
A large black duck that dives for food near northern coasts
  • noun
  • /ˈskoʊtər/
translation icon : pato buceador
  • Black Scoter flock flying in front of the Kittatinny Ridge.
  • eiders and scoters
  • surf scoters
  • scoters (sea ducks)

Examples

  • She went birding with me during the fallout from Hurricane Sandy last week, where she added ruddy ducks, surf scoters, and horned grebes to her life list.

    Blog text (26)
  • It remains popular since it can be a good chance to see loons, scoters, grebes, mergansers, eiders, and guillemots up close.

    Blog text (17)
  • We noted a few white-winged scoters and a few black guillemots along the way.

    Blog text (17)
  • Surf scoters were the most numerous, as they would be all day—more than 200 seen during the trip.

    Blog text (17)
  • We arrived at the Bass Pro parking lot around nine in the morning and began strolling along the riverside, scanning the water for scoters and unusual gulls.

    Blog text (20)
  • Not only are there reports of scoters seeking refuge from the storm all across the state, there have also been sightings of several flocks of brant, another normally seafaring waterfowl, throughout the northern half of the state as well.

    Blog text (26)
  • We often see scoters diving for food in the chilly waters near the shore.

  • During our birdwatching trip, we spotted several scoters swimming gracefully across the lake.

  • The large flock of scoters gathered together as they prepared to migrate south for the winter.

Synonyms

scooter
vsscoter
  • UK
1 9.9

A large black diving duck found in northern coastal waters

is the same meaning but spelled differently
Melanitta nigra
vsscoter
  • Specialized
9.9

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

refers more generally to the large black diving duck across northern regions
common scoter
vsscoter
  • UK
9.0

A sea duck with black males and brown females

is the broader name for that same kind of northern diving duck
Melanitta
vsscoter
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of sea ducks like scoters found near northern coasts

is the specific large black diving duck rather than the whole genus

Compounds

9.0

A sea duck with black males and brown females

Surface Forms

scoter singular
scoters plural

Etymology

The word scoter comes from old northern languages and Scottish English where people used it for sea ducks, so a helpful way to remember it is to picture a dark duck on the sea. That's why a scoter today means a large, black diving duck often seen along northern coasts.