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The eider (Somateria mollissima) is a large sea duck that is found in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions. It is known for its distinctive plumage, which includes a black and white body and a bright yellow head. Eiders are also known for their down feathers, which are used to make expensive quilts and pillows.

Taxonomy and Description

Eiders are members of the family Anatidae, which also includes other ducks, geese, and swans. Eiders are classified into two subspecies: the common eider (Somateria mollissima mollissima) and the Pacific eider (Somateria mollissima v-nigra). The two subspecies are very similar, but the Pacific eider has a slightly darker plumage and a longer bill.

Male eiders have a black and white body and a bright yellow head. Their back and wings are black, and their underparts are white. Female eiders have a brown body and a pale yellow head. Their back and wings are brown, and their underparts are white.

Eiders are about 22-26 inches long and have a wingspan of about 44-52 inches. They have a robust build and a long neck.

Habitat and Distribution

Eiders breed on coastal islands and tundra. They prefer to nest in areas with dense vegetation and access to the sea. Eiders migrate south to warmer climates in the winter. Common eiders winter in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, and Pacific eiders winter in the Pacific Ocean.

Diet and Behavior

Eiders are omnivores, and their diet consists mainly of shellfish, crustaceans, and small fish. They also eat some plants and berries. Eiders are diving ducks, which means that they feed by diving underwater to catch food.

Eiders are social birds, and they often form flocks. They are also very vocal birds, and they have a variety of calls that they use to communicate with each other. Eiders are known for their loud, honking calls.

Reproduction

Eiders breed in the spring. The female eider will lay 4-6 eggs in a nest that is built on the ground or in a low bush. The eggs are incubated by the female eider for about 24-26 days.

The chicks hatch naked and helpless. They are fed by their mother for about 4-6 weeks before they are able to fly on their own. Eiders typically reach sexual maturity at about 2-3 years old.

Migration
Eiders are long-distance migrants. Common eiders migrate from their breeding grounds in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions to their wintering grounds in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, a distance of up to 3,000 miles. Pacific eiders migrate from their breeding grounds in the Arctic and North Pacific regions to their wintering grounds in the Pacific Ocean, a distance of up to 2,000 miles.

Eiders are able to make these long migrations by flying at high altitudes and by taking advantage of favourable winds. Eiders also have a number of physical adaptations that help them to migrate, such as a lightweight body and a large wingspan.