Ducks at a Distance
A Waterfowl Identification Guide

Common Eider

Thick-necked stocky birds, alternately flapping and sailing in flight; flocks string out in a line, close to the water. Occurs in the United States chiefly along New England coasts and occasionally south to New Jersey. Other eiders - king, spectacled and Stellar's - occur in Alaska and are not pictured in this guide. King eiders occasionally are found in north Atlantic coastal waters.