General

King Eider: Large, regal diving duck with black body and white breast and back. Crown and nape are pale blue; distinct bill is orange-red, sweeping upward into a large, orange basal knob outlined in black. Wings are black with large white patches visible in flight. Tail has white patches at the base. Female has a gray bill and rufous-brown body with chevron-barred sides. 1st winter female resembles adult female but is grayer. 1st winter male is darker overall with orange bill and shows dull white breast and tail patches. Eclipse male is darker overall with yellow bill and basal knob.

Range and Habitat

King Eider: Breeds in the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Alaska, and Siberia. On the Atlantic coast, spends winters south to Massachusetts but rarely beyond. Preferred habitats are rocky coasts and open ocean; nests on inland freshwater lakes and ponds.

Breeding and Nesting

King Eider: Three to seven olive, pale olive, or buff eggs are laid in a flattened hollow of grass lined with down, usually near the water. Incubation ranges from 22 to 24 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

King Eider: Feeds on mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic insects, eelgrass, widgeon grass, and algae; forages by diving deep under water from the surface.

Vocalization

King Eider Male: Utters soft, dovelike cooing during the breeding season "urrr-urrr-URR."

Similar Species

King Eider: Common Eider has black cap, white back, and lacks orange bill and shield. Spectacled Eider has black breast and spectacles and white back.