King Eider

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The King eider (Somateria spectabilis) is a sea duck that breeds in the Arctic and winters along the Alaska coast in the west and along the North East from Maine to as far south as Virginia.

The above picture shows a male in breeding plumage. It is a rather striking looking bird with a colorful bill, blue head and black and white feathered body.

They are considered skilled divers, able to reach depths of over one hunderd feet to find crustaceans and other creatures such as star fish on the ocean floor. They are also known to eat some plant life.

King Eiders travel in very large flocks during migration.

© 2005-2008 Patricia A. Michaels