Birds Active during the day

Spectacled Eider

Somateria fischeri

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A master of the Arctic ice, the Spectacled Eider is famous for the stunning circular patches around its eyes. This rare sea duck survives the winter in the heart of the Bering Sea, huddling in the gaps of the pack ice.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length 50–58 cm (20–23 in); Wingspan approx. 90 cm (35 in); Weight 1.1–1.8 kg (2.5–4.0 lb)

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Colors

Males have a white back, black belly, and pale green head with large white eye patches; females are mottled brown with pale brown eye patches

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Key Features

Large circular patches around eyes ('spectacles')
Feathering extends halfway down the bill
Males have a shaggy, pale-green nape
Sturdy, sloping profile from forehead to bill tip

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6 AM - 6 PM

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Season May-August (breeding grounds); Winter (sea ice congregations)

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Diet Dives for mollusks and crustaceans in the ocean; eats aquatic insects, larvae, and plant matter during the summer breeding season.

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Habitat Coastal tundra and ponds for breeding; open leads in pack ice (polynyas) for wintering.

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Where Does the Spectacled Eider Live?

The Spectacled Eider is a specialist of the Far North, native to the Arctic regions of Russia and the United States. Its breeding grounds are confined to the coastal fringes of northern and western Alaska and the northeastern shores of Siberia. During the winter, these birds are found almost exclusively in the central Bering Sea, where they congregate in the gaps of the sea ice south of St. Lawrence Island.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

2 Countries

1.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States Russia

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Spectacled Eiders are highly specialized sea ducks known for their remarkable resilience in extreme Arctic environments. During the breeding season, they are relatively solitary or found in small pairs across the coastal tundra, where they build well-concealed nests near small ponds. They are less vocal than many other duck species, maintaining a low profile to avoid predators like gulls and foxes.

Their most fascinating social behavior occurs during the winter. The entire global population migrates to the Bering Sea, where they gather in massive, dense flocks within openings in the sea ice known as polynyas. By huddling together and constantly swimming, they prevent these small patches of water from freezing, allowing them to dive for food in some of the harshest conditions on Earth.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Spectacled Eider on camera requires a specialized approach since they inhabit remote, treeless environments. Because there are no trees to mount a camera, you should utilize ground stakes or low-profile tripods camouflaged with local vegetation. Position your camera at the edge of small tundra ponds or narrow channels between wetlands, as these are the primary corridors used by breeding pairs for foraging and movement.

Lighting is a major challenge in the Arctic. During the summer breeding season, the 24-hour daylight can lead to harsh glares off the water. Set your camera’s exposure compensation to a slightly negative value to ensure the brilliant white feathers on the male's back aren't overexposed. If your camera allows, use a high-speed trigger setting to capture the quick diving action that characterizes their feeding behavior.

Since these ducks are sensitive to disturbance, use a camera with a high-quality zoom lens or a long-range PIR sensor to keep the equipment at a distance from potential nesting sites. Cold temperatures, even in summer, can significantly reduce battery life. We recommend using lithium batteries or an external solar power pack if the camera will be left unattended for several days in the Alaskan or Siberian wilderness.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Spectacled Eider.

Common Eider

Lacks the circular 'spectacle' eye patches and has a differently shaped bill with less feathering on the culmen.

King Eider

Males have a bright orange frontal shield on the bill and lack the large white circular eye patches.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Spectacled Eiders are primarily diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. During the Arctic summer, they take advantage of the 24-hour daylight to forage for insects and plants in tundra ponds.

It is unlikely you can attract Spectacled Eiders to a typical backyard unless you live in a remote coastal region of northern Alaska or Siberia. They require specific Arctic wetland habitats and do not visit bird feeders or suburban gardens.

Their diet shifts by season. In winter, they dive deep into the ocean to eat mollusks and crustaceans. During the summer breeding season, they eat aquatic insects, larvae, seeds, and marsh plants found in tundra ponds.

No, Spectacled Eiders are never found in suburban areas. They are highly specialized birds that stay strictly within Arctic coastal tundra or remote sea ice locations in the Bering Sea.

The most obvious difference is the 'spectacles.' Spectacled Eiders have large, circular patches around their eyes (pale green in males, pale brown in females), which Common Eiders lack. Additionally, the Spectacled Eider's bill has feathers extending further down toward the nostrils.

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