Common Eider
Photo: Ryzhkov Sergey · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ducks, Swans, and Geese

Common Eider

Somateria mollissima

NTNear Threatened
Family
Ducks, Swans, and Geese (Anatidae)
Order
Anseriformes

Overview

The common eider (pronounced ) (Somateria mollissima), also called St. Cuthbert's duck or Cuddy's duck, is a large (50–71 cm (20–28 in) in body length) sea-duck that is distributed over the northern coasts of Europe, North America and eastern Siberia. It breeds in Arctic and some northern temperate regions, but winters somewhat farther south in temperate zones, when it can form large flocks on coastal waters. It can fly at speeds up to 113 km/h (70 mph).

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Range and habitat

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.