Eider
Somateria mollissima
IUCN Status:Near Threatened
Where can they be found?
Close to the shore, bobbing about in the waves.
Please note: this map is intended as a guide for general locations rather than detailed localised populations.
Did you know... Non-breeding females will often join mothers and their ducklings to the water to form a creche and help protect them from predators such as gulls and foxes.
Key facts about Eiders
The eider is the largest and heaviest seaduck in Europe. The males are very dapper, as if in bright evening wear, while the female can appear a little dowdy in mottled brown - although their colouring ismore practical for camouflage when sitting on eggs. They are sociable animals and can be quite noisy together.
The provider of soft, warm down for pillows and quilts, eiders are also known as cuddy ducks, after the Anglo-Saxon monk St Cuthbert, who had a soft spot for them.
They have a really distinctive call - making an "A-woooo" sound while they stretch their neck upwards to the sky.
| IUCN status | Near Threatened |
|---|---|
| Age | As well as being one of the heaviest birds, eiders also have one of the longest lifespans of around 20-25 years. |
| Diet | This seabird enjoys a seafood diet of mussels, clams, sea snails, crustaceans, small fish and even spiky sea urchins. |
| Habitat | Shorelines |
| Length | 50-71cm with a 80-108cm wingspan |
| Speed and distance | Despite being on the heavy side for a bird, they can fly at surprisingly fast speeds of around 50-60mph. |
| Weight | 1.2-2.8kg |
