Photo: Seabamirum from Ithaca / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
King Eider
Somateria spectabilis
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of North America.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 1.6 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Somateria
- Species spectabilis
Where it lives
Coastal northern, central Greenland, Svalbard (north of Norway), Russia from east of the White Sea to Chukotka (northeastern Russia); Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska, northern slope of Canada and associated Arctic is.
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.6 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The King Eider hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The King Eider is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) is a member of the Anatidae family, within the order Anseriformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers NA, PAL coastal n, c Greenland, Svalbard (n of Norway), Russia from e of the White Sea to Chukotka (ne Russia); Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska, n slope of Canada and associated Arctic is.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.6 kg, with a wing length of about 26.6 cm and a tail of around 7.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the King Eider?
The King Eider is a very large bird that weighs around 1.6 kg.
Where does the King Eider live?
The King Eider is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering NA, PAL coastal n, c Greenland, Svalbard (n of Norway), Russia from e of the White Sea to Chukotka (ne Russia); Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska, n slope of Canada and associated Arctic is, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the King Eider belong to?
The King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the King Eider eat?
The King Eider hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the King Eider migrate?
The King Eider is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the King Eider endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the King Eider make?
1 real field recording of the King Eider — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the King Eider's range?
The King Eider has a mapped global range of about 3.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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