as the name suggests common eider Somateria mollissima is the most common sea duck along the coast here in southern Norway. the distinct shape of its head makes it easy to identify even when far away. males are black and shiny white with a green patch at the back of the upper neck and lower head. the beak is yellow and the eye is almost invisible against the black crown. the females are a mottled brown with a bar pattern on the back, greyish brown beaks and clearly visible eyes.
this bird is the source of the exclusive eider down, said to be the warmest in the world, used in the most luxurious duvets and bedding. the down feathers have a unique structure that traps air and they are covered with a thin layer of oil making them waterproof. this feature enables the ducks to thrive in the icy northern polar regions
they nest in groups on the many tiny islets just off the coast here. the nests are open and on the ground so they are exposed to predators, mainly seagulls. but the population is healthy and stable and they are a pleasure to observe with their typical cooing, especially so in the spring with their ducklings. while they mostly keep to the rocky areas along the coast sometimes they can be seen in the harbor
