Velvet Scoter

Melanitta fusca (Linnaeus, 1758)

		female
2021-11-25 Atyrau	© Julia Vakhmistrova

Distribution

Breeding by places on lakes in Central and Northern Kazakhstan (Kurgaldzhino, Saumalkol' lake, Borovoye lake), also on Malybay lake in the Pavlodar region (Solomatin, 1999b). Seen at summer in Semipalatinsk area adjacent to Irtysh river, where in mid-July 1961 a pair observed during several days and later a male only (possibly nesting?) (Panchenko, 1968). At once second-year male shot 18 July 1984. On migration recorded from coast of Mangyshlak and lower reaches of Ilek river to middle Syrdarya river, around Semipalatinsk and on Kapchagay reservoir (Erokhov, 2002d).

Biology

Rare breeding migrant. Inhabits fresh and slightly salty lakes with reed beds and large areas of deep water. In spring migrates mid-April –end May in pairs and small flocks of up to a dozen birds. Nest is built on ground under grass canopy (up to 1 km from lake) from dry grass and reed leaves or on floating dry reed-bed heaps among shallow water. Clutches of 7-10 eggs mid-June – early July. Most juveniles hatch in July. Autumn migration continues mid-September – end November.

References

Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. Рябицев В. К., Ковшарь А. Ф., Ковшарь В. А., Березовиков Н. Н. «Полевой определитель птиц Казахстана», Алматы, 2014. Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005.