Two populations of Surf Scoters are recognized in North America: the Western population winters along the Pacific coast, whereas the Eastern population winters along the Atlantic coast. The Western population breeds primarily in Alaska, but also in northern Yukon and the northwestern Northwest Territories, and to a lesser degree in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Eastern population breeds in the eastern Northwest Territories (south Keewatin), in the Hudson Bay lowlands (in Manitoba and Ontario), and throughout central Quebec and Labrador (Sea Duck Joint Venture 2015). There are currently no surveys that provide good population or trend estimates for scoters though some are under development. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Large concentrations of Surf Scoters (intermixed with White-winged Scoters) are found in coastal British Columbia, in habitats that also support shellfish aquaculture, an industry that has the potential to expand dramatically. Initial assessment in British Columbia indicates that shore-based shellfish aquaculture has little impact on scoters (Žydelis et al. 2006), and off-bottom aquaculture may provide profitable feeding opportunities (Žydelis et al. 2009). However, it is unclear if aquaculture expansion might negatively affect these species. The Surf Scoter is particularly vulnerable to toxic spills because individuals tend to concentrate in large groups in marine habitat during the non-breeding season (e.g. in the St. Lawrence River Estuary or Gulf). The moulting period, during which the species is less mobile, is especially critical. The Surf Scoter has a low reproductive rate and generally low reproductive success, which means that populations are highly sensitive to adult mortality (Anderson et al. 2015). Hydroelectric development is also a potential threat to the species in its breeding habitat, particularly when breeding lakes are being flooded (Lepage and Savard 2013).
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.
