common scoter; black scoter
A sea duck species. In Japanese contexts, クロガモ usually refers to the common scoter (Melanitta nigra), but the name can also cover the closely related black scoter (Melanitta americana).
In winter, common scoters come to the coast.
Katakana spelling is standard for this bird name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the bird is almost always written in kana.
Compound of 黒 (kuro, 'black') and 鴨 (kamo, 'duck'). The name describes the bird's dark plumage.