Common Eider
Somateria mollissima
Also known as: Eider, Eider Duck
Habitat
Aquatic
Diet
Invertebrate
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
2.1 kg
About This Species
A heavyset sea duck of rocky coasts and cold northern waters, the male's contrasting black-and-white plumage and sloping bill profile make it distinctive among diving ducks feeding on mussels and other shellfish just offshore. Look for rafts of birds diving in coastal shallows near rocky shores and skerries, with females leading crèches of ducklings along the shoreline in summer. Breeding season brings birds close to shore around northern coastal colonies, while winter concentrations form on more open coastal waters further south.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- This species is listed as Near Threatened, reflecting real population declines in parts of its range, so extra care with distance matters here: view rafts and nesting colonies from a shoreline path or boat kept well back rather than approaching directly.
- It is protected under wildlife law in the countries where it breeds and winters, and colony sites in particular can be sensitive to repeated disturbance during incubation and early duckling-rearing.
- Using a scope from a distance rather than approaching a raft or shoreline crèche is the safest way to watch this species without adding to the pressures already affecting its numbers.
Seasonal Activity
2,349,485 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
Traits
- Diet
- Invertebrate
- Foraging
- Aquatic
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 2.1 kg
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.