King Eider

Identification

The king eider is a large sea duck measuring 50–70 cm in length with a wingspan of 86–102 cm. Males are unmistakable in breeding plumage: they feature a mostly black body with a buff-tinged white breast and a striking multicoloured head. The head, nape and neck are pale bluish grey, while the cheek is pale green. Most distinctive is the male's bill—red with a white nail and a large, prominent yellow knob above it, resembling a crown. Some tertials curve upward to form distinctive "spurs" along the back. Females are warm brown overall with blackish chevrons marking their upperparts and flanks, and fine black streaks on the head and neck. They have a buffy spot at the base of the bill and a buffy eye ring that extends into a downward curving stripe behind the eye. Juveniles are greyish brown, and young males take three years to achieve full adult plumage.

Range & Habitat

The king eider is circumpolar, found throughout the Arctic. It breeds on Arctic coasts from Alaska, Canada, and Greenland to Svalbard and Russia, utilizing various tundra habitats. These birds migrate to Arctic tundra to breed in June and July, then spend most of the year in coastal marine ecosystems at high latitudes. During winter, they concentrate in arctic and subarctic marine areas, most notably the Bering Sea, the west coast of Greenland, eastern Canada, and northern Norway. Wintering birds form large flocks on suitable coastal waters, with some flocks exceeding 100,000 individuals. The species also occurs annually off the northeastern United States, Scotland, and Kamchatka.

Behaviour & Diet

King eiders are highly specialized foragers whose feeding strategies vary seasonally. At sea for much of the year, they dive for benthic invertebrates including mollusks, crustaceans such as king crabs, sea urchins, starfish, and sea anemones. During breeding season, they shift to freshwater lakes and ponds, where they dabble and feed primarily on small invertebrates plucked from the water's surface. Breeding females construct a scrape nest on the ground near water, lining it with vegetation and down feathers from their own body. They lay a clutch of four to seven eggs and incubate them alone for 22 to 23 days, while the young are subsequently raised collectively by females. Males produce a distinctive quavering, dove-like cooing song transcribed as "croo-croo-croo" or "hoo-hoo-hooo," while females make low clucks, grunts, and growls.

Best Time & Places to See It

King eiders are best observed during their migrations and in their wintering grounds. In spring, several hundred thousand birds pass Point Barrow in northern Alaska in May on their way to Alaskan and Canadian breeding grounds, making this an excellent viewing opportunity. Winter concentrations occur in the Bering Sea, along the west coast of Greenland, in eastern Canada, and off northern Norway, where large flocks gather on coastal waters. The species also occurs regularly off the northeastern United States, Scotland, and Kamchatka. For breeding-season observations, Arctic tundra habitats from June to July offer chances to see nesting birds, though access to these remote areas is limited.

Photography Tips

Males in breeding plumage are highly photogenic subjects with their striking multicoloured heads and distinctive yellow knobs. The contrast between their pale head, black body, and buff-tinged white breast provides excellent compositional opportunities. Photographing birds on water allows you to capture their diving behavior and the characteristic postures they adopt while foraging. During spring migrations, the concentrated flocks passing known points provide opportunities for capturing large groups in flight or on the water. Winter coastal locations offer chances to photograph birds in their natural marine habitat, particularly when they gather in large flocks on suitable coastal waters. The pale coloring of breeding males makes them stand out well against darker water backgrounds, while females and juveniles blend better with brown tundra habitats, requiring careful attention to lighting and positioning.