Features: Adult males' plumage is black except for white patches on the forehead and nape. The most distinguishing feature is the bill, a swollen white, red-orange, yellow, and black wedge. This highly visible standard advertises male's presence for up to a mile.

Dark-billed adult females and subadults are dark brown above and paler brown below, with two indistinct light patches on the cheeks and sometimes on the nape

Habitat: The surf scoter does not breed in Oregon but is abundant on salt water along the coast from fall through spring. Look for surf scoters in the Columbia River estuary and in Tillamook, Yaquina, Netarts and Nestucca bays. In most years, hunters west of the Cascade will report harvesting several surf scoter, with fewer reports from eastern Oregon, usually in fall on large lakes and reservoirs.

Techniques: An occasional part of a mixed duck bag. Most of these sea ducks hang out off shore where they are inaccessible to hunters.