Common Eider

Somateria mollissima

Genus · Typical Eiders Family · Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Coastal islandsMarineOpen water

Look for them in coastal waters. The male's white back is visible from a long distance. Listen for the eerie moaning calls.

Common Eider

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan80–108 cm
Weight1200–2800 g
Length50–71 cm
Lifespan wild10–25 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeScrape
Clutch size4–6 eggs
Incubation24–26 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Carnivore

🦀Crustaceans
🐟Fish
🐚Mollusks
🦪Mussels

Habitat

🌊 Marine🏞️ River❄️ Tundra
✦ Fun Fact

Eider down is one of the world's best natural insulators. It is still harvested sustainably from nests for high-end bedding.

About

A large, heavy sea duck of northern coasts. The Eider is a true maritime bird and is rarely found inland. It has a distinctive sloping profile where the bill meets the forehead. It is a social bird that forms large flocks on the sea. It is famous for its warm down feathers.

Behaviour

Eiders are expert divers. They feed mainly on mussels which they swallow whole and crush in their gizzards. The male has a haunting, moaning 'ah-ooo' call. They are colonial nesters and often choose offshore islands to avoid land predators.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Unmistakable in black and white. He has a white back and breast with a black belly. A pale green patch sits on the nape of his neck.

♀ Female

Intricately barred with warm brown and black. This provides perfect camouflage among coastal rocks and heather.

Similar species

Tufted Duck
🐦
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula
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