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King Eider Somateria spectabilis

 
 

InKing Eider   CaÈider reial   DaKongederfugl   DePrachteiderente   EsEider real   Fikyhmyhaahka   FrEider à tête grise   ItRe degli edredoni   NlKoningseider   NoPraktærfugl   PtEider-real   SvPraktejder   USKing Eider   RuГага-гребенушка

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male
male

male
male
female
female
European distribution
European distribution
male
male
  

Identification

The adult male with its grey head, elaborately-shaped black back and reddish-knobbed bill, is unmistakable. Females are similar to female Common Eiders but are darker and shorter-billed, with a pale 'spectacle' line going down from the eye and a distinctive facial expression.

Habitat

Winters in coastal bays and inlets where small numbers may stay throughout the year.

Migration

Breeding birds from western Siberia and adjacent islands winter off the coast of north Norway, with some birds wintering in the Baltic.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

show section BirdGuides rarity status: Rare

hide section Most recent UK and Irish reports of King Eider

Negative news 20:55 11/08/10 King Eider Norfolk Winterton Dunes NNR   
  08:27 10/08/10 King Eider Norfolk Winterton Dunes NNR 09/08/10 
  17:41 02/08/10 King Eider Shetland Wester Quarff, Mainland 31/07/10 
  12:14 29/07/10 King Eider Norfolk Winterton Dunes NNR 28/07/10 
Negative news 11:22 28/07/10 King Eider Norfolk Sheringham 10:55 
  20:42 27/07/10 King Eider Norfolk West Runton 20:30 
  19:53 27/07/10 King Eider Norfolk West Runton 19:41 
  18:18 27/07/10 King Eider Norfolk Sheringham 18:12 
  17:32 27/07/10 King Eider Norfolk Sheringham 16:45 
  16:20 27/07/10 King Eider Norfolk Sheringham 16:05 

hide section Most recent photos of King Eider (10)

hide section Key UK sites for King Eider (4)

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show section Past records (35)

show section European breeding populations (3)

show section Products featuring King Eider (5)

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