Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) - Birds Around Me 0279

- January 02, 2026

The Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) is the largest duck of the northern hemisphere and one of the most iconic seabirds of Arctic and sub‑Arctic coasts. Measuring 50–71 cm in length with a wingspan of up to 110 cm, it is a powerful diver, perfectly adapted to life in cold marine environments.

Female Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Iceland, July 2025

Adult males are striking, with bold black‑and‑white plumage and a distinctive sloping forehead that gives the head a wedge‑shaped profile. Females, by contrast, are mottled brown, blending into rocky nesting sites. Both sexes have strong, wedge‑shaped bills that allow them to pry open mussels and other shellfish, their primary food source.

Male Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Iceland, July 2025

Common Eiders breed in colonies along northern coasts and islands across Europe, Russia, Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. Nests are lined with the female’s own down feathers, which are so insulating that humans have long harvested them to make luxurious eiderdown quilts. This practice, especially in Iceland and Scandinavia, has created a unique cultural relationship between people and eiders. Farmers protect colonies from predators and disturbance, and in return, they collect the down sustainably after chicks have left the nest.

Eiderdown is considered the finest natural insulation in the world—lightweight, incredibly warm, and rare. For centuries, it was prized by royalty and nobility, and even today, authentic eiderdown quilts remain among the most valuable bedding items available. This tradition has turned the eider into more than a bird: it is a partner in survival, a symbol of harmony between humans and nature.

During winter, vast flocks gather along sheltered coasts, sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands. Though listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, local populations face threats from oil spills, overfishing, and climate change.

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Ashutosh Jhureley @BirdsAroundMe