www.jesperbayjacobsen.com
Front page Butterflies Dragonflies Birds (media) Flora & Fauna (media) Observations Species taxonomy
Mexican Species Download Checklists Links My 5 Chickens Other Photos The Birding Program About
 
Bird photos, sounds and videos
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)    Ducks, Geese and Waterfowl (Anatidae)
Ederfugl ~ Eider Común ~ Ejder
Hide text
East American subspecies, dresseri, males show a green horizontal line below the black cap; not seen in the other Atlantic subspecies.
Common Eider 3173    (4 photos)
2019-09-20    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Subspecies: mollissima
Likely 2cy male in eclipse plumage. This by the overall dark plumage and the well-developed sail-shaped scapulars. However, males in eclipse plumage are in general very variable, and probably not always possible to age based on photos like these. Only saw the bird sitting on the water.

The subspecies is the one expected in Denmark, but is also supported by the delicate detail of the bill-feathering overlapping the nostril markedly.

The bird was alone.



Common Eider 3185    (1 photos)
2019-10-06    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Subspecies: mollissima
Guessing adult female with well-developed white wing bands and light bill with pale tip. Was with birds in 3186.


Common Eider 3186    (4 photos)
2019-10-06    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Subspecies: mollissima
Assuming 2cy male to the left with the black belly but too much on the head on the wing to just be an adult still molting out of eclipse plumage. The bird on the right looks like a 1cy male. Age indicated by the white appearing on the scapulars. Were with female in 3185.


Common Eider 3205    (4 photos)
2019-10-26    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Subspecies: mollissima
Juvenile male. All brownish with a few white feathers coming through on the back.


Common Eider 3207    (4 photos)
2019-11-04    Dragør Kommune, Denmark

Subspecies: mollissima
Adult male in transition to breeding plumage, still lacking the green nape and the pure salmon colored chest. Resting inside the harbor next to the Mallards (that are being fed) is a bit unusual, and the way the breast seems to protrude extraordinarily, could indicate that something is wrong. A too full stomach might be a reason as well, guessing it preferred this sheltered spot on a day with a good wind swiping the sea outside.


Common Eider 3849    (5 photos)
2021-12-17    Amager Strandpark, Denmark

Adult. Male. By the all-black bodysides I'm assuming an adult male slowly transforming from eclipse to plumage of splendor. Normally not that approachable but on this quiet gray day, the friendly company of me and a Mallard apparently was acceptable.


Common Eider 3913    (1 photos)
2022-01-05    Dragør Havn, Denmark

Female.
A very brown bird.



Common Eider 4084    (2 photos)
2022-05-11    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Adult. Male.


Common Eider 4093    (1 photos)
2022-05-21    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Females with a stack of pullus. Another spin around the circle of life.


Common Eider 4278    (4 photos)
2022-11-10    Amager Strandpark, Denmark

Adult. Male.
A single bird swimming and foraging close to the beach.



Common Eider 4985    (3 photos)
2023-03-06    Kastrup Havn, Denmark

Adult. Male.
Unusual to see a bird as tame as this. But the wings looked clipped when it flapped them why the reason could be illness or stress perhaps resulting in lost flight feathers?

Notice the hind toe that the Mallard doesn't have.



Happy Birding
© 2005-2023
Truthfullness - Compassion - Forbearance