What do King Eider ducks eat?

Do king eiders mate with common eiders?

Male King Eiders have been observed several times displaying to, and mating with, female Common Eiders. The opposite pairing — male Common with female King — seems to be far less likely. King Eider, first-winter male. March in Ocean County, New Jersey. Photo by Brian E. Small

What are the Predators of the Eider?

The common eider is subject to strong predation pressure, primarily from glaucous gulls and arctic foxes which take a large proportion of the eggs, and small chicks. The polar bear can also be a major predator of eggs at some sites.

How many types of eiders are there in North America?

In North America four subspecies of common eiders are recognized: Pacific, Hudson Bay, Northern and American (Atlantic).

Do king eiders cross-breed with other eiders?

King Eiders are known to cross-breed with Common Eiders. 2. The genus name Somateria comes from the Greek words sōma which means “body” and erion which means “wool.” This references the King Eider’s especially thick down. 3. Despite the fact that King Eiders have a very large worldwide range they have never developed any recognized subspecies. 4.

What is the difference between a common eider and a king eider?

Some populations of Common Eiders are year-round residents, and most others migrate only short distances. This creates some isolation, making it possible for distinct forms to evolve over time. King Eiders are much more migratory, departing from all breeding areas in winter, some traveling thousands of miles.

Are king eiders male or female?

Male King Eiders have been observed several times displaying to, and mating with, female Common Eiders. The opposite pairing — male Common with female King — seems to be far less likely. King Eider, first-winter male. March in Ocean County, New Jersey. Photo by Brian E. Small

Are spectacled eider and Steller’s Eider related?

King Eider and Common Eider are considered to be each other’s closest relatives, with Spectacled Eider and Steller’s Eider a little more distantly related. King and Common Eiders are widespread at northern latitudes, and they overlap extensively in range, but there are intriguing differences between them.

Where do Eider birds live in Ireland?

Eider seldom occur far from the sea throughout the year. They breed around the coast of Scotland and northern England and along the north and northwest coasts of Ireland. Up to 100 pairs have been estimated in Ireland.

What are the characteristics of the common eider?

Common Eider 1 Description. The Common Eider Somateria mollissima is the largest duck in the northern hemisphere. … 2 Habitat and Habits. Of all sea ducks, the Common Eider is the most closely tied to marine habitat. … 3 Range. … 4 Feeding. … 5 Breeding. … 6 Conservation.

How many different types of eider birds are there?

There’s a strong contrast in their amount of geographic variation. Common Eider has been separated into six or seven subspecies, and some differences among them are obvious. For example, females from Hudson Bay are pale and gray, while those along the east coast of Canada are more reddish brown.

What kind of eiders are in the winter?

Winter flocks of Common Eiders are usually a mix of brown females, crisp black and white adult males, and patchy young males. The young males are most readily separated from young male Kings by head and bill structure.

Is there such a thing as a common eider?

Common Eider: your text refers to the “West Arctic” form, but none of the 4 listed ssp. is called this – suggest using either “West Arctic” or “Pacific” in both places. Audubon’s Shearwater: according to Howell’s Tubenose book the lone Canadian specimen is attributed to loyermilleri, thus at least 2 subspecies occur in the ABA area.

Where can I find a guide to the birds of Ireland?

Pocket Guide to the Common Birds of Ireland. Gill & Macmillan Ltd, Dublin. Dempsey, Eric & O’Clery, Michael (2007). Finding Birds in Ireland: The Complete Guide. Gill & Macmillan Ltd, Dublin. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aves. Oiseaux Ireland page.

How do you find a common eider?

Look for flocks of Common Eiders in rocky marine waters, where they dive down, using their wings to swim, to pry mussels from rocks. Much of their day is spent resting, especially during high tides, and they frequently perform courtship displays in these flocks from fall into spring, with the males giving quiet dovelike calls.

What does an eider look like?

Breeds on coastal islands or along ponds and lagoons near the ocean. Chicks leave the nest within 24 hours after hatching and can feed themselves, though the female often stays with the young for several weeks. Immature males have the distinctive sloping eider forehead shape, a dark head, a white breast, and white mottling on the back.

Are eiders seaducks?

It is a true seaduck, rarely found away from coasts where its dependence on coastal molluscs for food has brought it into conflict with mussel farmers. Eiders are highly gregarious and usually stay close inshore, riding the swell in a sandy bay or strung out in long lines out beyond the breaking waves.

Where are eiders found?

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season. In the breeding season, eiders are best looked for from the Northumberland coast northwards and off the west coast of Scotland.

What is the best book on birds of Ireland?

Dempsey, Eric & O’Clery, Michael (1995). Pocket Guide to the Common Birds of Ireland. Gill & Macmillan Ltd, Dublin. Dempsey, Eric & O’Clery, Michael (2007). Finding Birds in Ireland: The Complete Guide.

What birds can you see in the Humber Estuary?

You may see kestrel, sparrowhawk, marsh harrier and short-eared owl hunting over the marshland. Spurn Point – A famous shingle bank in the Humber estuary where merlin, peregrine and hen harrier can be seen hunting the large flocks of waders and small birds during the winter months.

What are the three species of eiders?

The three species are the Common Eider, the King Eider, and the Spectacled Eider. Read on to learn about the Eider. Though each species is different, all three have primarily black and white plumage, or feathers.

What color are common eider feathers?

Males have an unusual green in their feathers From afar the male common eider looks great too, but noticing their unique and beautiful ghostly green color on the upper neck can be hard to do from far away. Here’s a close-up of the male common eider’s green feathers.

What is “the birds of Ireland?

One of the biggest selling points for “The Birds of Ireland” is it’s localised focus on Irish birds.

Why is the Humber Estuary so important?

The Humber Estuary provides around 150,000 waterfowl with safe feeding and roosting grounds over the winter and during spring and autumn migrations. In summer it supports several important breeding populations of scarce or declining species such as the bittern, marsh harrier and avocet.

What kind of animals live in estuaries?

Fish, shellfish, and migratory birds are just a few of the animals that can live in an estuary. The Chesapeake Bay, as one example, includes several different habitats.

What birds do you see in Exminster?

On the lakes, pr gadwall, pr shoveler, pr tufted duck, teal and dabchick all on lake 1, and at least 2 water rail on lakes 2 and 3. A good days birding on Exminster marsh and surrounding area with 63 species ticked off during the day, Peregrine on one of the pylons eating its prey, four Kingfisher sightings, adult female Hen Harrier.

What birds have been seen in the Caen estuary today?

Today’s sightings included: Jack Snipe, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Greenshanks, c12 Turnstones, 2+ (drake) Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 Goosanders (3 drakes), 21 Mandarin Ducks, drake Teal, 25 Wigeon, Little Grebe, 3 Shags & 2 Roe Deer. Record shot of 1 male Red breasted Merganser on the Caen Estuary this aft.

What sound does a common eider make?

Common Eiders are quite vocal, with males frequently giving pleasant cooing calls that can be heard far across the water on still days. Females, when feeding or responding to male courtship displays, give a low gog-gog-gog.