Eider

Description:

The common eider is a large sea-duck, 50–71 cm in body length, 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

Habitat:

It is a true seaduck, rarely found away from coasts where its dependence on coastal molluscs for food has brought it into conflict with mussel farmers. Eiders are highly gregarious and usually stay close inshore, riding the swell in a sandy bay or strung out in long lines out beyond the breaking waves

Notes:

The female is a brown bird, but can still be readily distinguished from all ducks, except other eider species, on the basis of size and head shape. The male is unmistakable, with its black and white plumage and green nape. Both seen here on Inner Farne