Skip to Content

Steller’s Eider Identification

Steller's Eider male and female

Steller’s Eider  —  Length 17 inches

Steller’s Eider is a small sea duck that inhabits coastal areas of the Arctic and subarctic regions. They are known for their striking appearance, with the male having a white head, black neck, and back, white sides and belly, and greenish-blue feathers on their nape, while the female has a brownish body with darker feathers on their wings.

Steller’s Eiders are found in the coastal waters of northern Russia, Alaska, and Canada during the breeding season, where they nest in shallow depressions on the ground near water. During the non-breeding season, they migrate south and can be found in coastal waters from Norway to Japan and the northern United States.

These ducks are known for their unique vocalizations and their tendency to form large flocks during the non-breeding season. They are also listed as a threatened species due to habitat loss and hunting, making them a subject of conservation efforts in many areas.

Steller's Eider male and female

© USFWS

All the following images are © Alan Wilson

Male steller's eider

Note the colorful upper wing pattern.

Male steller's eider Male steller's eider Male steller's eider Male steller's eider

 

About the Author

Sam Crowe

Sam is the founder of Birdzilla.com. He has been birding for over 30 years and has a world list of over 2000 species. He has served as treasurer of the Texas Ornithological Society, Sanctuary Chair of Dallas Audubon, Editor of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" web site and as a contributing editor for Birding Business magazine. Many of his photographs and videos can be found on the site.

Let others know your thoughts or ask an expert

Would you like to get new articles of birds (Once a month?)

No SPAM! We might only send you fresh updates once a month

Thank you for subscribing!

No thanks! I prefer to follow BirdZilla on Facebook