A little-known but spectacular seaduck of the High Arctic, the Steller’s Eider is smaller and less oceangoing than the three other eider species. Sign in to see your badges. First-winter males are like females but paler brown. King Tides Are a Sign of the Future for Oregon's Coast, EPA Withdraws Key Mining Restrictions for Alaska's Bristol Bay Area, Updated: Trump Admin Halts Its Push for a Road Through Alaska's Izembek Refuge, Department of the Interior Agrees to Trade Away Vital Bird Habitat. Nest, built by female, is shallow depression lined with bits of plant material and large amounts of down. Male in flight has extensively white forewing. Your Online Guide To Birds And Bird Watching. Help power unparalleled conservation work for birds across the Americas, Stay informed on important news about birds and their habitats, Receive reduced or free admission across our network of centers and sanctuaries, Access a free guide of more than 800 species of North American birds, Discover the impacts of climate change on birds and their habitats, Learn more about the birds you love through audio clips, stunning photography, and in-depth text. It winters somewhat farther south in the Bering Sea, northern Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea. The female is a dark brown bird, smaller with a more typically duck-shaped head and body than other eider species. Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds. It is scarce south of its wintering range. 2 or more broods of young sometimes join under care of 1 or more females. Forages by dabbling or tipping up to strain prey in the bill; or by diving to catch deeper prey. During most of year forages at sea by diving and swimming underwater. Mostly white head with large black eye, black collar around neck, and creamy-buff belly with black spot on side. [2] The male is unmistakable with his white head marked by a thick black eye ring and greenish-black tufts of feathers on the forehead and the back of the head. Breeding either alone or in small colonies, Steller’s Eiders like to nest close to Pomarine Jaegers. The species name is for German naturalist and explorer Georg Steller. Listen +2 more audio recordings. The wing resembles that of a wigeon, but the white shoulder patch is larger and is bordered by a blue rather than a green speculum. Oxford University Press. Its distribution in the Arctic and Subarctic is centered on the Bering Sea. National Audubon Society Ornithological Society Of The Middle East The Caucasus And Central Asia, RED DE OBSERVADORES DE AVES Y VIDA SILVESTRE DE CHILE. The government dropped its appeal of a judge's ruling that protected the bird-rich wilderness—but a new land deal was reached soon after. Designation: Threatened. Like other Arctic breeders, may be especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. There is an active recovery plan in Alaska.[9]. The male is unmistakable with his white head marked by a thick black eye ring and greenish-black tufts of feathers on the forehead and the back of the head. It can form large flocks of up to 200,000 birds on suitable coastal waters. Canada goose. McCarthy, E M. 2006. Male Steller's eiders have a white head with a black eye spot and a pale green patch on the crown. Polysticta stelleri . On tundra in summer, eats many aquatic insects, also some plant material such as pondweeds and crowberries. Male has mostly white head with large black eye. The Steller’s eider is the smallest of the four eider species. Discover them all with Birds of the World. Common goldeneye. Visit your local Audubon center, join a chapter, or help save birds with your state program. Female less dazzling, chocolate brown overall with few markings; note square head and white edges on inner wing feathers. Arctic sea duck. A little-known but spectacular seaduck of the High Arctic, the Steller’s Eider is smaller and less oceangoing than the three other eider species. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek polustiktos, "much spotted", from polus "many" and stigme "spot". Flies in tightly packed flocks, and often feeds in compact groups as well. Rarity finders: Steller's Eider in Orkney. Males are unusually colorful but both sexes have an iridescent blue wing patch, lined above and below by white, which is unique for a sea duck and more similar to a dabbling duck such as a mallard. This species is the smallest eider at 45 cm (18 in) long. More agile than the others in flight, and less clumsy on land; floats buoyantly on the water, often with its tail cocked up. Or take action immediately with one of our current campaigns below: The Audubon Bird Guide is a free and complete field guide to more than 800 species of North American birds, right in your pocket.