Comments: Formerly treated as conspecific with M. nigra (Linnaeus, 1758) [Black Scoter] of Eurasia, but separated on the basis of courtship calls (Sangster 2009) and color, form, and feathering of the bill in adult males and most adult females (Collinson et al. 2006) (AOU 2010).

Comments: In recent decades, annual harvest in eastern North America averaged 22,500 (58% in eastern Canada) (Kehoe 1994).

Global Protection: Unknown whether any occurrences are appropriately protected and managed

Comments: No data available.

Biological Research Needs: More information is needed on basic biology (Kehoe 1994).

Conservation Actions

Degree of Threat: Low

Comments: Hydroelectric projects in Quebec and Labrador have had localized impacts on breeding habitat, but effects on the continental population probably have been small; urbanization and industrialization of many coastal bays and estuaries have degraded some winter habitat; chemical contamination and heavy metal accumulation of winter food supplies possibly may be affecting reproductive success of some populations (Kehoe 1994). Vulnerable to overharvest through hunting (Kehoe 1994).

Major Threats

Global Short Term Trend: Decline of 10-30%

Comments: For the period 1984-1994, estimated to be "declining in NW North America; possibly stable in Russia" (Goudie et al. 1994). However, available population data are generally inadequate for reliable determination of population trend (Kehoe 1994).

Global Long Term Trend: Relatively stable to decline of 50%

Population

Population Trend

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Reasons: Large global population with very large and widely dispersed continental subpopulations, fairly low degree of threat, particularly on breeding grounds.