Overview
The King Eider is known to hold a record for diving 30 fathoms or around 180 feet in the Bering Sea to feed. These birds are a larger sea duck with lengths averaging around 22 inches with an average body weight of 3.6 lbs.. The male is easily identifiable by the frontal shield on its beak that is orange in coloration with a black outline. It has a pale sky blue head with a greenish sea foam green color. The breast is white with a black side and black back. It has a distinct white line that separates the sides from the back. The beak is a red orange color and they have dull yellow feet. The females are tan brown with darkish brown ‘V’ marks that can be similar to its ancestor the common Eider. The bill is olive colored and they have greyish feet. They typically prefer vegetative areas close to lakes or ponds. These birds typically feed on Mollusks, aquatic insects, and algae.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Bird
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Somateria
- Species
- spectabillis
Habitat
When it comes to breeding season these birds breed along the Artic from Greenland to Alaska. When the migration occurs in the east they will fly towards Greenland’s southwestern coast down to as far as Florida. However, the western population will fly along the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands.
Diet
It feeds on mollusks, crustaceans like king crabs, and on sea urchins, starfish and sea anemones.
Behavior
The female builds a scrape nest on the ground, usually near water. She lines it with vegetation and down feathers from her own body. She lays a clutch of 2–7 eggs, which she alone incubates for 22 to 23 days. The young are raised collectively by the females.
Hunting
Typically hunted with a 12 ga shotgun. Shot size #2-4 is sufficient. Effectively hunted with decoys and calling. Dogs are used for bird retrieval. Steel shot is required for waterfowl in the United States.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.