Common Eider
(𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒂)
Conservation Status: Least Concern

Facts: The Common Eider is the largest sea duck in the Northern Hemisphere. They can be found on coastal islands or along ponds and lagoons near the ocean and are often seen floating on top of the water in flocks up to several thousand. They nest on the ground near water and line their nests with vegetation and female downy feathers. They eat primarily aquatic invertebrates, especially mollusks, crustaceans and sea urchins, with the exception of while on their breeding grounds when they will primarily eat insects and some plant material.

Interesting Fact: The Common Eider’s down is famous for its insulation properties, helping keep their eggs warm in the freezing temperatures of the North. In Iceland, the down feathers are commercially harvested on “eider farms,” where nooks are created to encourage wild eiders to nest.

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Eider/lifehistory, https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/common-eider