King Eider
NameKing Eider
Common NameKing Eider
Scientific NameSomateria spectabilis
FamilyAnatidae
Wingspan (cm)90
Length (cm)60
Weight (g)1700
Plumage DetailsFemale King Eiders are overall mottled reddish-brown with fine black barring, especially on the flanks and back. They have a pale patch at the base of the bill and a relatively small, dark bill. Males are unmistakable with a black body, white breast, pale green cheeks, and a large orange frontal shield on the bill.
Vocalization / CallMales produce a soft, cooing 'hoo-hoo-hooo' sound during courtship. Females have a harsh, croaking 'karr-karr-karr' call.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal waters, tundra, arctic marine
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeCircumpolar Arctic, breeding on tundra in North America, Greenland, and Eurasia, and wintering in ice-free coastal waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific.
Identifying FeaturesLarge size for a duck, Female: mottled reddish-brown plumage, relatively small dark bill, Male: distinctive orange frontal shield on bill, black body, white breast, green cheeks, Heavy-bodied, short-necked appearance, Diving behavior
Description
The King Eider is a large sea duck found in Arctic regions. Males are strikingly patterned with black, white, and green, while females are mottled reddish-brown, as seen in the image. They are expert divers, foraging for marine invertebrates in cold coastal waters.
