Common Eider
Taken at Seahouses, Northumberland on 18th April 2022 using Nikon D500 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens.
Fact File

Taken at Port Seton on 25th April 2021 using Nikon D500 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens. Fact File
Part of the male mating display
Taken at
Port Seton on 11th November 2016 using Nikon D5200 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens.
Fact File
Eclipse Plumage
Taken at Port Seton on 12th December 2021 using Nikon D500 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens.
Fact File
Male 1St Summer
Taken at Irvine Harbour on 3rd June 2016 using
Nikon D5200 with Sigma 150-500 mm zoom lens.
Fact File
Juvenile Male
Taken at Musselburgh on 14th May 2023 using Nikon D500 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens.
Fact File

Female
Taken at Seahouses, Northumberland on 18th April 2022 using Nikon D500 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens.
Fact File
Lunch
Taken at Musselburgh on 30th June 2019 using
Nikon D500 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens.
Fact File
Taken at Dunbar Harbour on 5th January 2020 using Nikon D500 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens. Fact File
Hatchlings
Taken at Musselburgh on 4th June  2017 using
Nikon D5200 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens.
Fact File
Taken at Musselburgh on 30th June 2019 using Nikon D500 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens. Fact File
Taken at Musselburgh on 12th May 2018 using Nikon D5200 with Sigma 600 mm zoom lens. Fact File
Taken at Dunbar on 14th March 2017 using Nikon D5200 with Sigma 600 mm lens. Fact File
Common Eider.
Species:
Order:
Family:
Local Names:
Somateria mollissima.
Anseriformes.
Anatidae.
Cuddy's Ducks.
Site Of Nest:
Materials:
Food:
Feature:






Plumage:

Length:
Breeding Period: Eggs:
Close to the sea.
Lined with, believe it or not, Eider down plucked from the female's breast.
Crustaceans and molluscs, with mussels being a favoured food.
A particularly famous colony of Eiders live on the Farne Islands in Northumberland. These birds were the subject of one of the first ever bird protection laws, established by Saint Cuthbert in the year 676. About 1,000 pairs still nest there every year. Because St. Cuthbert is the patron saint of Northumberland, it was natural that the Eider should be
chosen as the county's emblem; the birds are still often called Cuddy's ducks in the area, "Cuddy" being the familiar form of "Cuthbert".
Male has bold black and white plumage with greenish nape and pinkish breast. Female rich browns.
50-71 cm
Late April.
4-6.
Voice: