White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca), Willow Creek Reservoir, Yavapai County

Discovered by Sue Drown and others on Wednesday, 04 January 2012, and photographed by David Moll the following day and by Michael Nicosia on 06 January 2012. It has now joined the previously reported juvenile White-winged Scoter.

Rare winter visitor, it has returned to being annual in the state after nearly a decade of very few records.

Large dark duck with sloping forehead, extensive feathering out onto the bill, a white "comma" below eyes, and white secondaries.  The red-orange bill tip indicates adult male White-winged Scoter.

05 January 2012, photo by David Moll

06 January 2012, photo by Michael Nicosia

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