What is "common scoter"

n. a variety of scoter [syn: Melanitta nigra]

The common scoter (Melanitta nigra) is a large sea duck, in length, which breeds over the far north of Europe and Asia east to the Olenyok River. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek melas, "black", and netta, "duck". The species name is from Latin niger "shining black". The black scoter (M. americana) of North America and eastern Siberia is sometimes considered a subspecies of M. nigra.