are now classified as separate species.The common scoter feeds mainly on invertebrates such as mussels, which it dives underwater for and swallows whole.The common scoter is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).The common scoter (Melanitta nigra) is a medium-sized, rather stocky sea duck with a relatively long, pointed tail (3) (4) which is often held up when the bird is sitti