Common Eider (European)
Common Eider (European)
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This is the nominate subspecies of the Common Eider (Somateria mollissima mollissima), a large diving duck found along the coasts of Europe. Males are striking with their black and white plumage, while females are camouflaged in mottled brown.
Where to spot
Coasts of northwestern Europe, including Scandinavia, the British Isles, and the Baltic Sea, extending into parts of Russia.
How to spot
Look for large, raft-forming ducks in coastal marine environments. Males have a distinct white back, black cap, and a green nape patch. Females are uniformly barred brown. Pay attention to bill shape and feather extension onto the bill.
When to spot
Year-round. Breeding occurs in late spring/early summer; large flocks are common in coastal waters during fall and winter, especially in sheltered bays and estuaries.
Where to spot
Coasts of northwestern Europe, including Scandinavia, the British Isles, and the Baltic Sea, extending into parts of Russia.
How to spot
Look for large, raft-forming ducks in coastal marine environments. Males have a distinct white back, black cap, and a green nape patch. Females are uniformly barred brown. Pay attention to bill shape and feather extension onto the bill.
When to spot
Year-round. Breeding occurs in late spring/early summer; large flocks are common in coastal waters during fall and winter, especially in sheltered bays and estuaries.
Common Eiders are known for their incredibly insulating down, which is historically harvested sustainably for duvets and clothing, giving them their name and making them economically significant in some regions.
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