King eider

Scientific name: Somateria spectabilis

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Males are striking with iridescent green and purple head patches, orange-yellow bill knob, white breast and back, and black belly. Females are rufous-brown with barred plumage and lack the elaborate head ornamentation; both sexes show heavy, sloping bill profiles.

Size and weight

Males 1.6–2.0 kg, females 1.4–1.8 kg; body length 47–58 cm.

Habitat

King eiders inhabit Arctic and subarctic coastal waters, nearshore polynyas, and tundra breeding grounds. They prefer open water with access to rocky substrates and shallow benthic zones for diving.

Distribution

Circumpolar Arctic breeder from Alaska to Greenland and across Siberia; winters in subarctic seas, with populations wintering in the Bering Sea, North Atlantic, and European Arctic waters.

Diet

King eiders are benthic specialists feeding primarily on mollusks (especially mussels and snails), crustaceans, and sea urchins obtained by diving to 30 m or deeper.

Behaviour

Highly gregarious and oceanic; form dense rafts on open water and flocks during migration. Males are vocal, particularly during breeding courtship; both sexes are strong, fast fliers with rapid wingbeats.

Hunting tips

Glass open leads, polynyas, and rafting areas from ice edges or coastal vantage points; birds often remain in predictable wintering zones. Approach from downwind and use decoys effectively in open water. Call sparingly—males respond to other males during winter courtship displays; use ice breaks or dark water as cover when positioning.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.

United States

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.