Velvet Scoter ( M. nigra ) was split from White-winged ( M.deglandi ) last year by Cornell ebird . Velvet Scoter distribution is Eurasia wide with the proviso that IOC have further split the eastern form of Velvet ( M. nigra ) to Siberian ( Stejneger's ) Scoter ( M.stenjergeri ) , distribution Siberia wintering Japan , China and it is this Velvet Scoter subspecies that has been recorded in Alaska , male Velvet Scoter's differ from White-winged in different bill shape and size and blackish flanks not brownish . I haven't checked to see whether any Velvet Scoters from Europe have been retroactively accepted on the East Coast . Very good photos or description for White-winged Scoter's would be necessary to consider a Velvet here in Colorado. John DrummondColorado Springs
-----Original Message----- From: Joe Roller <jroll...@gmail.com> To: Diana Beatty <otowi33...@gmail.com> Cc: COBIRDS <cobirds@googlegroups.com> Sent: Wed, Jul 10, 2019 1:24 pm Subject: Re: [cobirds] White-winged Scoter split >From what I hear, ONLY Melanitta deglandiis found in ABA area (America and >Canada), and that is why eBird assigned it to that name, the North America >"flavor" of that scoter. I'm sure we'll hear if others have a better handle on this. Joe Roller, Denver On Wed, Jul 10, 2019 at 12:03 PM Diana Beatty <otowi33...@gmail.com> wrote: So I know I saw a White-winged Scoter at Prospect Lake and/or Big Johnson Reservoir in Colorado Springs in winter but I wouldn't know how to begin to tell what it is now. I doubt I have the photos that might be needed - I wonder if anyone has gone through past photos or other evidence etc. and found compelling evidence of Velvet or Stejneger's in their Colorado list yet??? Would that be something the CBRC would review if that were the case? Ebird is calling the ones I've reported before as Melanitta deglandi. Diana BeattyEl Paso County -- ******All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAM-_j9u_wWM%2BDN%2B-T8CfMt1iDQqFYwa_65JkdO6%2B7mTU6HDexQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAJpZcUB6By-y6AKt-PSFhMqN2CYpoQ5t7DkdaBm3UorFJi9qCw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/1736830904.1250323.1562797198814%40mail.yahoo.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
