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King Eider

These birds are known for their distinctive head and beak shape and color — although only male king eiders have these unique characteristics.  

 

King eiders are sea ducks that prefer to live in cold areas such as along the Arctic coasts of Europe, North America, and Asia. During winter, they can be found further south including north-east and north-west North America, Iceland, the islands north of the United Kingdom, and on the Pacific coast of Asia.  

Male king eiders are easily spotted because of their unique coloration: they have bright reddish-orange bills, yellow foreheads, light green cheeks, and light grey heads. Their bodies are covered in white and black feathers. In contrast, their female counterparts are mostly reddish-brown. Female king eiders are covered in feathers with a scalloped pattern on the breast and belly — which features brown, black, and white colors. Their bills are dark green or yellowish gray.  

Large sea ducks like king eiders source most of their food from the ocean. They primarily eat mollusks, crustaceans, and some types of fish. Female king eiders also eat insects and vegetation while nesting. 

 

 

King Eiders are preyed upon by gulls, owls, arctic foxes, falcons, and even humans.  

In some areas of the world, humans hunt this species, leading to a decline in population. Despite this decline, they are listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List given their large range. Furthermore, king eiders are also victims of bycatch in areas like Greenland, Newfoundland, Iceland, Norway, Germany and the Baltic Sea. Climate change also poses unique challenges to this species. For example, ocean acidification as the result of climate change may lead to a decline in the food that king eiders rely on most: mollusks. Furthermore, climate change is predicted to dramatically affect the habitats of these Arctic species.  

 

 

King Eiders rely on thriving oceans to survive. Oceana science-based campaigns aim to tackle climate change by stopping the expansion of offshore drilling and curbing the production of single-use plastics.  

 

 

 

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