Photo: ALAN SCHMIERER / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Vulnerable

Waterbirds

Steller’s Eider

Polysticta stelleri

Steller's Eider (Polysticta stelleri) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Canada Birds of Germany Birds of the United Kingdom Birds of Japan Birds of the Netherlands Birds of the United States Birds of British Columbia Birds of Nunavut Birds of Quebec Birds of Scotland

By family

Ducks, Geese & Swans of Canada Ducks, Geese & Swans of Germany Ducks, Geese & Swans of the United Kingdom Ducks, Geese & Swans of Japan Ducks, Geese & Swans of the Netherlands Ducks, Geese & Swans of the United States Ducks, Geese & Swans of British Columbia Ducks, Geese & Swans of Nunavut Ducks, Geese & Swans of Quebec Ducks, Geese & Swans of Scotland

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The Steller’s Eider (Polysticta stelleri) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 807 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

VU Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
Genus Polysticta
Species stelleri

Where it lives

Northwestern, northeastern Siberia from Yamal Pen. to Chukotka; and Arctic Coastal Plain, northern Alaska

Quick facts

Weight: 807 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Steller’s 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 Steller’s Eider is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Steller’s Eider (Polysticta stelleri) belongs to the Anatidae family of the order Anseriformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers NA, PAL nw, ne Siberia from Yamal Pen. to Chukotka; and Arctic Coastal Plain, n Alaska.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 807 g, with a wing length of about 20.4 cm and a tail of around 7.9 cm.

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 2.2 million km².

Songs & calls

Steller’s Eider — Wing noise

Recorded by Andrew Spencer Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Steller’s Eider?

The Steller’s Eider is a large bird that weighs around 807 g.

Where does the Steller’s Eider live?

The Steller’s Eider is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering NA, PAL nw, ne Siberia from Yamal Pen. to Chukotka; and Arctic Coastal Plain, n Alaska, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Steller’s Eider belong to?

The Steller’s Eider (Polysticta stelleri) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.

What does the Steller’s Eider eat?

The Steller’s Eider hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Steller’s Eider migrate?

The Steller’s Eider is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

Is the Steller’s Eider endangered?

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

What sound does the Steller’s Eider make?

1 real field recording of the Steller’s Eider can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Steller’s Eider's range?

The Steller’s Eider has a mapped global range of about 2.2 million km².