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Common Eider

Somateria mollissima

Near Threatened
Flügelspannweite
56,0 cm
Gewicht
2042,8333333333333 g
Familie
Anatidae
Ordnung
Anseriformes

The Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) is a bird species in the family Anatidae (enten, gänse und schwäne), within the order Anseriformes (wasservögel). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 56 cm and a weight of 2 kg. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Near Threatened.

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The heaviest duck in the Northern Hemisphere (~2 kg), family Anatidae. Breeds colonially on rocky coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and Arctic. Dives for mussels and crustaceans in shallow marine waters. Females line nests with insulating down. Near Threatened due to recent declines in parts of its range from hunting and pollution.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Flügelspannweite 56,0 cm 22.0 in
Gewicht 2042,8333333333333 g 72.06 oz

Habitat & Range

Geografisches Verbreitungsgebiet

Breeds on Arctic and subarctic coasts from the North Atlantic to the Pacific. Winters along coasts of northwestern Europe and eastern North America.

Diet & Feeding

Dives for blue mussels, clams, and crustaceans in shallow coastal waters. Swallows shellfish whole and crushes them in the gizzard.

Erhaltungsstatus

Near Threatened
IUCN Red List

Verhalten & Brutverhalten

Nistverhalten

Nest type: CP. Incubation: 23-30 days. Fledging: 60-75 days.

Gelegegröße

2-7

Lautgebung

Gesang

Male produces a loud, resonant ah-WOOO cooing; female gives a deep, guttural quacking series. The male's iconic moaning call echoes across North Atlantic coastlines; a classic seaduck sound.

Taxonomie

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordnung Anseriformes (Wasservögel)
Familie Anatidae (Enten, Gänse und Schwäne)
Genus Somateria
Arten Somateria mollissima

Distribution

Common Eider has been recorded in 6 countries.

Vorhanden Not recorded

countries highlighted

External Databases

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What does the Common Eider eat?
Dives for blue mussels, clams, and crustaceans in shallow coastal waters. Swallows shellfish whole and crushes them in the gizzard.
Where does the Common Eider live?
Breeds on Arctic and subarctic coasts from the North Atlantic to the Pacific. Winters along coasts of northwestern Europe and eastern North America.
Is the Common Eider endangered?
The Common Eider has a conservation status of Near Threatened.
How does the Common Eider nest?
Nest type: CP. Incubation: 23-30 days. Fledging: 60-75 days.
What does the Common Eider sound like?
Male produces a loud, resonant ah-WOOO cooing; female gives a deep, guttural quacking series. The male's iconic moaning call echoes across North Atlantic coastlines; a classic seaduck sound.
How big is the Common Eider?
The Common Eider has a wingspan of 56.0 cm, weight of 2042.8333333333333 g.
What order and family does the Common Eider belong to?
The Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Anatidae family

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