Скачать или смотреть presumed Northern (borealis) Eider

This 'presumed to be' of the form borealis also known as 'Northern Eider' was found feeding in Hanstholm Harbour on 1st April 2012. It could become the first Danish record if not being accepted as an intergrade with Common Eider.

It was really a stunning Eider and was quite easily recognised in comparison with the two Common Eiders (S. m. mollissima) next to it. Superficially it is very similar to the dapper black and white plumage of Common Eider but it is the small 'scapular sails' and also the bright yellow tones of the bill that really set them apart.

The 'Northern' form also known as 'Borealis', (which is also the Latin name Somateria mollissima borealis) is basically the name given to the subspecies in the Arctic regions of the North Atlantic, from North East Canada, Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard. There are several subspecies in the 'Common Eider' group; besides the Common Eiders (S. m. mollissima) there are three of which we should be (and many are) on the lookout for as they could potentially turn up as vagrants. However 'Northern' Eider is by far the most likely target and it is possible and indeed quite likely that birds have been over looked in Denmark in the past.