Common eider

Somateria mollissima

The common eider is a large sea duck of northern coasts. It is diurnal and gathers in coastal colonies during the breeding season.

Key facts

Common eider (Somateria mollissima) is an omnivore animal classified as Bird · Anseriformes · Anatidae.
Primary habitats are coast · open ocean, with a range across Nearctic · Palearctic.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is colony, and conservation status is NT (Near Threatened).
The common eider is a large sea duck of northern coasts.
It uses cold coasts, rocky shores, islands, and shallow marine waters.
Typical lifespan: 8-25 years

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

It uses cold coasts, rocky shores, islands, and shallow marine waters. Shellfish beds support feeding, while safer shorelines support nesting.

Wingspan is about 80-108 cm and weight about 1.2-3 kg. Males are bold black and white with pale green on the nape; females are mottled brown.

Active by day, it rests and dives in flocks at sea. At colonies, females often nest near one another and watch the nesting area closely.

It is omnivorous but takes many mussels, crustaceans, and other seafloor animals. It dives to collect food from the bottom.

The female lines her ground nest with soft down from her body. Ducklings soon move to the sea and grow under female protection.

Its status is listed as Near Threatened. Coastal change and disturbance at breeding sites can affect local populations.