General

Steller's Eider: Small eider with black back and collar, white sides, and buff-brown underparts with a small but distinct black spot on side. Head is white with a dark tuft, black eye patch, and black chin. Wings are white with black primaries and a white-bordered blue speculum. Bill, legs, and feet are blue-gray. Female has dark brown body, darker head, blue speculum bordered with white, and pale eye-ring. Juvenile resembles female but is much paler and grayer. 1st winter male is similar to juvenile but is darker and shows fine barring on breast and dark chin. Eclipse male resembles female.

Range and Habitat

Steller's Eider: Breeds on northern and western coasts of Alaska. Spends winters on southern coast of Alaska and Aleutians. Frequents arctic coastal areas; nests on tundra near small ponds.

Breeding and Nesting

Steller's Eider: Five to ten olive buff eggs are laid in a deep depression on tundra lined with plant material and down. Nest is built near water by the female. Incubation is carried out by the female, time is undetermined.

Foraging and Feeding

Steller's Eider: Feeds on mussels in marine waters during the winter and insects in freshwater ponds during the breeding season; forages by diving from the surface.

Vocalization

Steller's Eider: Generally silent, makes low crooning notes when breeding.

Similar Species

Steller's Eider: Male Smew has all-white underparts.