Browse all birds

Common Eider

ID Info
Common Eider by Corey Hayes
Silhouette DucksDucks

Common Eider

Somateria mollissima
  • ORDER: Anseriformes
  • FAMILY: Anatidae
Basic Description

A colorful duck of the northern seacoasts, the Common Eider is the largest duck in the Northern Hemisphere. The male's bright white, black, and green plumage contrasts markedly with the female's camouflaging dull striped brown.

More ID Info
image of range map for Common EiderRange map provided by Birds of North AmericaExplore Maps
Other Names
  • Eider Común (Spanish)
  • Eider à duvet (French)
  • Cool Facts

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Species in This Family

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family:Anatidae)

Black-bellied Whistling-DuckBlack-bellied Whistling-Duck
Fulvous Whistling-DuckFulvous Whistling-Duck
Emperor GooseEmperor Goose
Snow GooseSnow Goose
Ross's GooseRoss's Goose
Greater White-fronted GooseGreater White-fronted Goose
BrantBrant
Cackling GooseCackling Goose
Canada GooseCanada Goose
Mute SwanMute Swan
Trumpeter SwanTrumpeter Swan
Tundra SwanTundra Swan
Muscovy DuckMuscovy Duck
Wood DuckWood Duck
Blue-winged TealBlue-winged Teal
Cinnamon TealCinnamon Teal
Northern ShovelerNorthern Shoveler
GadwallGadwall
Eurasian WigeonEurasian Wigeon
American WigeonAmerican Wigeon
Northern PintailNorthern Pintail
MallardMallard
American Black DuckAmerican Black Duck
Mottled DuckMottled Duck
CanvasbackCanvasback
RedheadRedhead
Ring-necked DuckRing-necked Duck
Greater ScaupGreater Scaup
Lesser ScaupLesser Scaup
Steller's EiderSteller's Eider
King EiderKing Eider
Green-winged TealGreen-winged Teal
Common EiderCommon Eider
Harlequin DuckHarlequin Duck
Surf ScoterSurf Scoter
Black ScoterBlack Scoter
Long-tailed DuckLong-tailed Duck
BuffleheadBufflehead
Common GoldeneyeCommon Goldeneye
Barrow's GoldeneyeBarrow's Goldeneye
Hooded MerganserHooded Merganser
Common MerganserCommon Merganser
Red-breasted MerganserRed-breasted Merganser
White-winged ScoterWhite-winged Scoter
Ruddy DuckRuddy Duck

Browse Species in This Family

More to Read