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Tracking Data for Black Scoters (Melanitta americana)

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By Alaska Science Center July 24, 2025

Available here are tracking data of Black Scoter, a duck species that breeds throughout higher latitudes of Alaska and Canada and winters along coastal areas of North America. These data were collected to better understand the timing and patterns of migratory movements between breeding and wintering areas.

Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Tracking Data Collection

USGS Alaska Science Center scientists collect data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various behaviors, and identify geographic areas repeatedly used by wildlife that may indicate sites of importance to species and populations. Tracking data from other wildlife species can be found at:  https://doi.org/10.5066/P9VYSWEH

Tracking Maps

Media
Argos Wildlife Tracking Black Scoters animation
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Argos Wildlife Tracking of Black Scoters.
(Credit: David Douglas, USGS)

Black Scoter Tracking Maps

These webpages contain five different types of browse maps and other visualizations of the tracking data.

  • Maps (Animated, Static, Interactive, and Google Earth)
  • Summary graphs of the data: where, when, duration
  • Waterfowl Tagged Animal Movement Explorer interactive visualization tool
  • Note: These maps serve only as a depiction of the geographic content of the specific data provided and may be inappropriate for inferences and interpretation outside the intent of the original study. For example, maps may portray only certain ages, sexes, limited numbers of animals or variable tracking duration and start times that may limit inference for other questions. Users are advised to read the publication(s) and data set metadata associated with these maps to understand appropriate use and data limitations.

Data Packages

Argos Satellite Telemetry Data

These data packages contain the data collected from satellite transmitters attached to free-ranging animals. The packages include both raw and processed location and sensor data. The raw data includes data as originally retrieved from the Argos System. The processed data have been filtered for location plausibility, and sensor data have been decoded into standard measurement units. For most users, the processed data will be preferred.

NOTE: Processed data contains both plausible (DAF_Filter=0) and implausible (DAF_Filter=1) locations as indicated by the column “Location_DAF_filter”. Before using these data, we recommend excluding locations flagged as implausible or apply an alternative filtering method of your choice.

Suggested Citation

Flint, P.L., Schamber, J.L., Douglas, D.C., 2020, Tracking data for Black Scoters (Melanitta americana) (ver 1.0, March 2020): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P93EF3TH

Below are other science projects associated with Black Scoter.

Spectacled eider male and female flying near the Colville River in 2013.

Waterfowl Research

Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Waterfowl Research

Waterfowl Research

Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the...
Learn More
Spectacled eider male and female flying near the Colville River in 2013.

Sea Duck Research

USGS research on sea ducks is designed to anticipate and address priority information needs of management agencies. Additionally, work is focused on individual species biology, migration and population status and trends because until recently, very little was known about sea ducks in Alaska.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Sea Duck Research

Sea Duck Research

USGS research on sea ducks is designed to anticipate and address priority information needs of management agencies. Additionally, work is focused on individual species biology, migration and population status and trends because until recently, very little was known about sea ducks in Alaska.
Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with the Black Scoter tracking project.

USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection

Understanding the short- and long-distance movements of wildlife is critical for a wide variety of ecological research studies and management decisions. Since the mid-1980s, the USGS Alaska Science Center has collected data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various...
By
Alaska Science Center

Below are multimedia items associated with Black Scoter.

Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter: Dutch Harbor, Alaska

By
Alaska Science Center
Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter: Dutch Harbor, Alaska

By
Alaska Science Center

Below are publications associated with the Black Scoter tracking project.

Visualizing populations of North American sea ducks: Maps to guide research and management planning Visualizing populations of North American sea ducks: Maps to guide research and management planning

North American sea ducks generally breed in mid- to northern-latitude regions and nearly all rely upon marine habitats for much of their annual cycle. Most sea duck species remained poorly studied until the 1990s when declines were noted in several species and populations. Subsequent research, much of which was funded by the Sea Duck Joint Venture, began in the late 1990s with an...
Authors
John Pearce, Paul Flint, Mary Whalen, Sarah Sonsthagen, Josh Stiller, Vijay Patil, Timothy Bowman, Sean Boyd, Shannon Badzinski, H.G. Gilchrist, Scott Gilliland, Christine Lepage, Pam Loring, Daniel McAuley, Nic McLellan, Jason Osenkowski, Eric Reed, Anthony Roberts, Myra Robertson, Tom Rothe, David Safine, Emily Silverman, Kyle Spragens
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Changes in size and trends of North American sea duck populations associated with North Pacific oceanic regime shifts Changes in size and trends of North American sea duck populations associated with North Pacific oceanic regime shifts

Broad-scale multi-species declines in populations of North American sea ducks for unknown reasons is cause for management concern. Oceanic regime shifts have been associated with rapid changes in ecosystem structure of the North Pacific and Bering Sea. However, relatively little is known about potential effects of these changes in oceanic conditions on marine bird populations at broad...
Authors
Paul Flint
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Reproductive ecology and habitat use of pacific Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra americana) nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Reproductive ecology and habitat use of pacific Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra americana) nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Abundance indices of Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra. americana) breeding in Alaska indicate a long-term population decline without obvious cause (s). However, few life history data are available for the species in North America. In 2001–2004, information was collected on nesting habitat and reproductive parameters (i.e. components of productivity) from a population of Black Scoters...
Authors
Jason Schamber, Fred Broerman, Paul Flint
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Available here are tracking data of Black Scoter, a duck species that breeds throughout higher latitudes of Alaska and Canada and winters along coastal areas of North America. These data were collected to better understand the timing and patterns of migratory movements between breeding and wintering areas.

Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Tracking Data Collection

USGS Alaska Science Center scientists collect data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various behaviors, and identify geographic areas repeatedly used by wildlife that may indicate sites of importance to species and populations. Tracking data from other wildlife species can be found at:  https://doi.org/10.5066/P9VYSWEH

Tracking Maps

Media
Argos Wildlife Tracking Black Scoters animation
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Argos Wildlife Tracking of Black Scoters.
(Credit: David Douglas, USGS)

Black Scoter Tracking Maps

These webpages contain five different types of browse maps and other visualizations of the tracking data.

  • Maps (Animated, Static, Interactive, and Google Earth)
  • Summary graphs of the data: where, when, duration
  • Waterfowl Tagged Animal Movement Explorer interactive visualization tool
  • Note: These maps serve only as a depiction of the geographic content of the specific data provided and may be inappropriate for inferences and interpretation outside the intent of the original study. For example, maps may portray only certain ages, sexes, limited numbers of animals or variable tracking duration and start times that may limit inference for other questions. Users are advised to read the publication(s) and data set metadata associated with these maps to understand appropriate use and data limitations.

Data Packages

Argos Satellite Telemetry Data

These data packages contain the data collected from satellite transmitters attached to free-ranging animals. The packages include both raw and processed location and sensor data. The raw data includes data as originally retrieved from the Argos System. The processed data have been filtered for location plausibility, and sensor data have been decoded into standard measurement units. For most users, the processed data will be preferred.

NOTE: Processed data contains both plausible (DAF_Filter=0) and implausible (DAF_Filter=1) locations as indicated by the column “Location_DAF_filter”. Before using these data, we recommend excluding locations flagged as implausible or apply an alternative filtering method of your choice.

Suggested Citation

Flint, P.L., Schamber, J.L., Douglas, D.C., 2020, Tracking data for Black Scoters (Melanitta americana) (ver 1.0, March 2020): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P93EF3TH

Below are other science projects associated with Black Scoter.

Spectacled eider male and female flying near the Colville River in 2013.

Waterfowl Research

Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Waterfowl Research

Waterfowl Research

Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the...
Learn More
Spectacled eider male and female flying near the Colville River in 2013.

Sea Duck Research

USGS research on sea ducks is designed to anticipate and address priority information needs of management agencies. Additionally, work is focused on individual species biology, migration and population status and trends because until recently, very little was known about sea ducks in Alaska.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Sea Duck Research

Sea Duck Research

USGS research on sea ducks is designed to anticipate and address priority information needs of management agencies. Additionally, work is focused on individual species biology, migration and population status and trends because until recently, very little was known about sea ducks in Alaska.
Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with the Black Scoter tracking project.

USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection

Understanding the short- and long-distance movements of wildlife is critical for a wide variety of ecological research studies and management decisions. Since the mid-1980s, the USGS Alaska Science Center has collected data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various...
By
Alaska Science Center

Below are multimedia items associated with Black Scoter.

Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter: Dutch Harbor, Alaska

By
Alaska Science Center
Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Black Scoter: Dutch Harbor, Alaska

By
Alaska Science Center

Below are publications associated with the Black Scoter tracking project.

Visualizing populations of North American sea ducks: Maps to guide research and management planning Visualizing populations of North American sea ducks: Maps to guide research and management planning

North American sea ducks generally breed in mid- to northern-latitude regions and nearly all rely upon marine habitats for much of their annual cycle. Most sea duck species remained poorly studied until the 1990s when declines were noted in several species and populations. Subsequent research, much of which was funded by the Sea Duck Joint Venture, began in the late 1990s with an...
Authors
John Pearce, Paul Flint, Mary Whalen, Sarah Sonsthagen, Josh Stiller, Vijay Patil, Timothy Bowman, Sean Boyd, Shannon Badzinski, H.G. Gilchrist, Scott Gilliland, Christine Lepage, Pam Loring, Daniel McAuley, Nic McLellan, Jason Osenkowski, Eric Reed, Anthony Roberts, Myra Robertson, Tom Rothe, David Safine, Emily Silverman, Kyle Spragens
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Changes in size and trends of North American sea duck populations associated with North Pacific oceanic regime shifts Changes in size and trends of North American sea duck populations associated with North Pacific oceanic regime shifts

Broad-scale multi-species declines in populations of North American sea ducks for unknown reasons is cause for management concern. Oceanic regime shifts have been associated with rapid changes in ecosystem structure of the North Pacific and Bering Sea. However, relatively little is known about potential effects of these changes in oceanic conditions on marine bird populations at broad...
Authors
Paul Flint
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Reproductive ecology and habitat use of pacific Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra americana) nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Reproductive ecology and habitat use of pacific Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra americana) nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Abundance indices of Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra. americana) breeding in Alaska indicate a long-term population decline without obvious cause (s). However, few life history data are available for the species in North America. In 2001–2004, information was collected on nesting habitat and reproductive parameters (i.e. components of productivity) from a population of Black Scoters...
Authors
Jason Schamber, Fred Broerman, Paul Flint
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center
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