Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
J23.13.w8
B7, B29, B30, B31, B40,B94, B96, B97, B108, B129
D1, D8

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's
• The Electronic Library: further reading for "Wildlife: Oil Spill Response"

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Seaducks
• Eiders

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Diving Ducks (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Seaducks are generally winter-hardy and sociable. They are preferably kept on a large area of clean, cold, deep water, at least some of which (preferably half the area) should be more than 60cm and preferably more than1m deep. As with other diving ducks, most species are relatively ungainly on land and ponds should have shallow sloping banks. Some cover along the pond edges will generally be appreciated. Preferred nesting sites vary greatly within this group, from open ground nesting to thick vegetation and tree holes.
• Diets of grain, pellets fish and seafood may be used, also bread. These ducks generally need a higher-protein diet than most waterfowl species and high-protein pelleted diets specifically designed for seaducks are now available, although supplementation with fish may still be important particularly for breeding.
• Feeding in troughs containing stones may avoid the development of overgrown bills. Provision of salt water may decrease the incidence of fungal and other infections.
• Ducklings may be given high-protein starter crumbs and live food, and provided with access to deep water for swimming from an early age.
• Eiders should be provided with clean, deep, cold water, with ice-free water available in winter, and may be best kept as flocks rather than as individual pairs. They will eat large quantities of fish if it is offered. They are prone to Foreign Body Ingestion while searching for grit, and are also susceptible to heat stress and to Aspergillosis.

(B7, B29, B30, B40, B94, B129, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Common eiders are winter-hardy, easy to maintain and not quarrelsome.but may suffer in summer from heat. Clear, cold running water is ideal, and some shade should be available on shores. High-protein feed, plus grain, and e.g. shrimps or fish may be fed and a good grit supply is important.
• Some subspecies are fairly easy to breed. They prefer to lay in close or open ground cover: in grass or other vegetation on islands, or in bankside vegetation, and they also use ground level nest boxes or baskets. Usually lay in May, rarely April (B31), mainly May to June (B29). These ducks are reliable incubators, but hand-rearing is recommended, being easier for controlling feeding, on clear water and with plentiful food (B31).
• Hybrids have been mentioned with Somateria spectabilis - King eider, Anas acuta - Northern pintail, , Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard.

(J23.13.w8, B29, B31, B94, B96, B97, B108, B129)

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average ring size: (D8).

• Somateria mollissima mollissima European eider N 13.0mm
• Somateria mollissima faeroeensis Faeroe eider M 12.0mm
• Somateria mollissima v-nigra Pacific eider P 14.0mm
• Somateria mollissima borealis Northern eider N 13.0mm
• Somateria mollissima dresseri American eider N 13.0mm

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl
• See also: Oil Spill: Species Identification and Special Considerations

Measurement & Weight

Head

Other subspecies, male bill grey-green, yellow or orange.

Legs

Plumage

Somateria mollissima v-nigra: black v-shape line on throat.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Tend to form crèches of e.g. 10-100 ducklings, with several females, including non-breeding 'aunties'.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

• Somateria mollissima mollissima North-western Europe from coasts of Scotland and Scandinavia eastward to Novaya Zemlya and Vaigach Island. Mainly sedentary but as far south as France, occasionally Spain, Italy in winter.
• Somateria mollissima faeroeensis Faeroe Islands. Sedentary.
• Somateria mollissima v-nigra From New Siberian Islands eastward through north-eastern Siberia, on islands in Bering Sea to north-western North America (Cook Inlet north-westward and Arctic Ocean coast to Victoria Island and Coronation Gulf. Winters around Aleutian Islands in Bering Sea
• Somateria mollissima borealis Across the Arctic Atlantic from Baffin Island eastward, to Greenland, Iceland and Franz Josef Land. winters southern Greenland and Labrador southward to Nova Scotia, rarely New England.
• Somateria mollissima sedentaria Hudson Bay area, winters mainly around Belcher Islands.
• Somateria mollissima dresseri Atlantic north-eastern North America (coasts of Labrador, Newfoundland, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brinswick, Maine) Winters from Gulf of St Lawrence to Massachusetts and eastern Long Island.

London: In the London Area, "scarce visitor, usually in winter." Individual once present may remain for some time (1.5 years is not unprecedented. (J322.65.w1)

Partly migratory. Males generally remain further north than females and juveniles. At sea out of breeding season.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Widespread and locally abundant (B1).

Captive Populations

Trade