King Eider

King Eiders (Somateria spectabilis) are one of the most beautiful ducks in the world and inhabit harsh arctic and sub-arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They are a large sea duck weighing 3 to 4.5 pounds and are covered by thick down to keep them warm in the arctic waters. Adult males are boldly marked with a variety of colors. Their heads have a bluish crown and nape, in addition to iridescent green cheeks. They also have a large yellow or orange knob on a reddish bill. Their body is mostly black with areas of white on the back and wings in addition to large white markings near their tail. Males also have distinctive black triangle shaped “sail” feathers on their backs in addition to black V marks on their chins. Adult females are mostly a reddish brown, with black barring. They do not have an enlarged lobe on their bills.

King Eiders nest in the high arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, Asia and Europe. The majority of these eiders winter in the Bering Sea with smaller numbers wintering off the Atlantic coast of North America and off parts of Southwest Greenland and off the coast of Norway. Their diet consists mainly of aquatic invertebrates that they will dive over 80 ft. at times to reach. These hardy birds will winter as far north as possible, moving south as sea ice advances during the winter.