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Steller's Eider

Polysticta stelleriOrder: ANSERIFORMESFamily: Geese and Ducks (Anatidae)
Steller's-Eider Male Portrait
  Splitbar
Range Map for Stellar's Eider

Overview

Steller's Eider: Small eider with black back and collar, white sides, buff-brown underparts with small but distinct black spot on side. White head has a dark tuft, black eye patch and chin. Wings are white with black primaries and a white-bordered blue speculum. Blue-gray bill, legs and feet.

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.

Splitbar

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Voice Text

Generally silent

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Related Birds:

Surf Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
King Eider
Spectacled Eider
.

Copyright © 2005 WBFI Research Foundation Bird database and its related content and media is Copyright (C) 2002 - 2005 Mitch Waite Group All rights reserved.

Family Diving Ducks (Anatidae)_blue
Species Polysticta stelleri
Length17 - 19 Inches
Wingspan29 Inches

Steller's Eider

Steller's Eider: Small eider with black back and collar, white sides, buff-brown underparts with small but distinct black spot on side. White head has a dark tuft, black eye patch and chin. Wings are white with black primaries and a white-bordered blue speculum. Blue-gray bill, legs and feet.

● Song: Generally silent

● Foraging & 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.

● Breeding & 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.

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

Flight Pattern

Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Steller's-Eider Male Body Illustration
● Range & 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.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationUncommon to common
MigrationMigratory
Weight27.2 Ounces