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Common Eider Photo Gallery

Common Eider Male (Dresser's)
Male (Dresser's)

Large-bodied sea duck with a sloping profile to the forehead. Note white back, dark sides, black cap, and greenish sides of neck.

© Kojo Baidoo / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, January 18, 2021
Common Eider Female (Dresser's)
Female (Dresser's)

Large-bodied sea duck with a sloping forehead. Females are rich reddish brown overall with fine blackish barring.

© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 16, 2016
Female and juvenile

Breeds on coastal islands or along ponds and lagoons near the ocean. Chicks leave the nest within 24 hours after hatching and can feed themselves, though the female often stays with the young for several weeks.

© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryMaine, July 16, 2012Not all videos have sound
Common Eider Immature male (Dresser's)
Immature male (Dresser's)

Immature males have the distinctive sloping eider forehead shape, a dark head, a white breast, and white mottling on the back.

© Kevin Pero / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, January 16, 2021
Common Eider Eclipse male (Dresser's)
Eclipse male (Dresser's)

When molting into breeding plumage, shows dark mottling on back and breast.

© Pat McKay / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, June 19, 2017
Common Eider Male (Pacific)
Male (Pacific)

In flight, bulky body and color pattern—dark belly with white upperparts—are distinctive.

© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 06, 2013
Common Eider Male (Eurasian)
Male (Eurasian)

Large, bulky sea duck almost always seen on saltwater. Striking white back with black sides and belly.

© Steve Kelling / Macaulay LibraryScotland, March 14, 2013
Common Eider Male (Eurasian)
Male (Eurasian)

Large-bodied, bulky sea duck with a black cap and greenish sides of neck, white back, and black belly.

© Will Sweet / Macaulay LibraryHöfuðborgarsvæði, May 25, 2015
Common Eider Male and female (Hudson Bay)
Male and female (Hudson Bay)

Distinctive sloping profile to the forehead and bill. Females are grayish brown overall with a pale head and fine dark barring on the body.

© Ian K Barker / Macaulay LibraryManitoba, June 14, 2017
Common Eider Female (Northern)
Female (Northern)

Females are brownish overall with fine dark barring on the back and sides.

© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 10, 2011
Common Eider Male and female (Northern)
Male and female (Northern)

© Christoph Moning / Macaulay LibrarySvalbard, June 12, 2015
Common Eider Female and chick (Dresser's)
Female and chick (Dresser's)

© Michael Todd / Macaulay LibraryNew Hampshire, June 03, 2017
Common Eider Habitat (Dresser's)
Habitat (Dresser's)

First winter males are dark brown with variable white mottling and pale or yellow tip to the bill. Females are lighter or more reddish brown with a gray bill.

© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryMaine, July 19, 2014
Common Eider Male and female (Eurasian)
Male and female (Eurasian)

Often forms large flocks with both males and females.

© Brooke Miller / Macaulay LibraryNord-Trøndelag, March 25, 2017

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Species in This Family

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae)

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