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, B8, B29, B30, B40, B94, B129
D1, D8

Other References

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:

• King eiders have not been commonly kept and have only been bred sporadically. Open ground cover should be available for nesting, and islands are preferred nesting sites, with egg laying mainly May to June.

(J23.13.w8, B8, B29, B129)

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average ring size: N 13.0mm (D8).

Management Techniques

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Eclipse:- Head, neck and body dull dark brown/black, breast and mantle may have some white feathers, wing retains white coverts.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Bond with female broken about fledging time (B2).

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Moult migration particularly to Davis Strait (males and immatures).

Winters northern Pacific, especially around Aleutian Islands, also Atlantic coast of north America Greenland to Newfoundland, Iceland, northern Europe including Netherlands, northern Scandinavia, Kamchatka.

(B1, B2, B8, B19).

Occasionally as far south as California, Georgia, Florida (USA), with strays inland to the Great Lakes. In Europe reaches Scotland and east coasts of England and Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Faeroes, Jan Mayen Island, Bear Island, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Italy. (B2, B19).

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not globally threatened, large populations (B1, B8).

Captive Populations

Trade