Somateria mollissima · Icelandic: Æður

A large, bulky sea duck prized for centuries for its soft down.

Habitat: Rocky and sandy coastlines, sheltered bays | Season: All year

Identification

• Male striking black-and-white with a pale green nape
• Female mottled brown; both have a distinctive wedge-shaped bill profile

Behaviour

Forms large rafts just offshore. Displaying males give a deep, groaning "ah-ooo" call.

Did you know?

The female lines her nest with soft down plucked from her own breast — sustainably collected eiderdown has been a valued Icelandic export for centuries.

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