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A photo of a Common Eider (Somateria mollissima), male
Common Eider, Male

Common Eider

Somateria mollissima

The common eider (pronounced ) (Somateria mollissima), also called St. Cuthbert's duck or Cuddy's duck, is a large ( in body length) sea-duck that is distributed over the northern coasts of Europe, North America and eastern Siberia. It breeds in Arctic and some northern temperate regions, but winters somewhat farther south in temperate zones, when it can form large flocks on coastal waters. It is characterized by its bulky shape and large, wedge-shaped bill. The male is unmistakable, with its black and white plumage and green nape. The female is a brown bird, but can still be readily distinguished from all ducks, except other eider species, on the basis of size and head shape. The drake's display call is a strange almost human-like "ah-ooo," while the hen utters hoarse quacks. The species is often readily approachable.
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Common Eiders on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A photo of a Eider photographed in Breivoll Badeplass Norway
Profile picture for Luke Pembroke
Luke Pembroke
Friday 22 Sep 2023 - 4:55pm
Norway
A map showing the sighting location
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Mervyn Campbell
Friday 22 Sep 2023 - 2:13pm
United Kingdom
A map showing the sighting location
🐝
Elizabeth Ogilvie
Thursday 21 Sep 2023 - 3:27pm
United Kingdom
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for John Lill
John Lill
Thursday 21 Sep 2023 - 11:55am
United Kingdom
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