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Common Eider

Somateria mollissima

The Common Eider is a beautiful duck known for its soft feathers and unique colors. They love to swim in the ocean and dive for tasty clams and mussels.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Common Eider is a large, heavy-bodied sea duck. Males have striking black and white plumage with a green nape and an orange-yellow bill. Females are mottled brown, providing excellent camouflage against coastal rocks.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusSomateria
Common Eider
feathered trait badgewebbed_feet trait badgesocial trait badgefilter_feeder trait badge
Common Eider

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Common Eiders eat shellfish whole, crushing them with their powerful gizzards!

Eider down is so warm, it's used in fancy parkas and sleeping bags!

Male eiders make a soft, cooing "ah-ooo" sound that sounds like a love song!

They can dive for over a minute, holding their breath longer than many humans!

Special abilities

Ability

Deep Diver

Common Eider can dive over 20 meters because of its heavy body and strong legs, helping it grab food from the seafloor.

Ability

Arctic Survivor

Common Eider has super dense down feathers that create an amazing insulation layer, allowing it to thrive in icy waters.

Ability

Saltwater Swimmer

Common Eider has specialized glands that help remove excess salt, so they can drink seawater without getting sick.

Measurements & details

Length
50-71 cm
Wingspan
80-110 cm
Weight
1.8-2.9 kg
Lifespan
15-20 years
Top Speed
65 km/h
Clutch Size
4-6
Incubation
25-28 days
Migration Distance
1500 km

Diet & Feeding

These marine ducks mainly feast on yummy shellfish found on the ocean floor.

Primary Foods

  • mussels
  • clams
  • crabs
  • sea urchins
  • small fish

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Common Eider?

50-71 cm

What is Common Eider's wingspan?

80-110 cm

How much does Common Eider weigh?

1.8-2.9 kg

How long does Common Eider live?

15-20 years

How fast can Common Eider move?

65 km/h

What does Common Eider eat?

These marine ducks mainly feast on yummy shellfish found on the ocean floor.

Where is Common Eider usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Common Eider hunt?

Pursuit

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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