Spectacled Eider
Somateria fischeri
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About
A medium-large sea duck of the family Anatidae, weighing ~1.4 kg with distinctive pale green goggles in males. Breeds on Arctic tundra of Alaska and Russia; winters in pack ice of the Bering Sea. Dives for benthic invertebrates and mollusks. Near Threatened due to population declines linked to lead poisoning and habitat change.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 49.2 cm | 19.4 in |
| Weight | 1443.75 g | 50.93 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Male has white back and black breast with pale sage-green head framed by large white goggle-like spectacles edged black. Female mottled tawny-brown with faint spectacle outline.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Breeds on coastal tundra of western and northern Alaska. Winters along the Bering Sea coast from Alaska to Kamchatka. Largely sedentary.
Diet & Feeding
Dives for bivalves, crustaceans, and aquatic insects in shallow Arctic coastal and freshwater habitats. Insects predominate in summer.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CP. Incubation: 23-24 days. Fledging: 50-53 days.
Clutch Size
1-9
Sound
Song
Male gives a low, melodious aah-ooo cooing; female produces a guttural, grunting call. The male's ghostly, organ-like cooing call carries across Arctic tundra ponds in the breeding season.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Family | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Somateria |
| Species | Somateria fischeri |
Distribution
Spectacled Eider has been recorded in 2 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Spectacled Eider eat?
Where does the Spectacled Eider live?
Is the Spectacled Eider endangered?
How does the Spectacled Eider nest?
What does the Spectacled Eider sound like?
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What order and family does the Spectacled Eider belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family