Home › UK Birdedex › King Eider
King Eider
_(13667616745).jpg/960px-King_Eider_(Somateria_spectabilis)_(13667616745).jpg)
Seen one? Add it to your free UK BirdedexHear its song and see the mapFree, no app download. Epic bird: +20 points when you log it.
Habitat and behaviour
Habitat: Coastal seas (very rare).
Diet: Molluscs.
Best time to spot: Male's bold shield.
When to look
A rare visitor, not a resident. There is no dependable season, though most rarities are found during spring and autumn migration. More on the season in UK winter wildfowl.
How rare is it?
The King Eider sits in our Epic tier for the UK: a scarce visitor, recorded in small numbers in most years. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.
Recent UK sightings
No community sightings logged for this species yet. Log the first one.
Similar birds
- Common EiderUncommon · Rocky coasts
- Common Scoter (eastern)Epic · Coastal seas (very rare)
- Steller's EiderLegendary · Coastal seas (very rare)
- Pacific DiverLegendary · Coastal seas (very rare)
- Blyth's PipitEpic · Coastal scrub (very rare)
- Brown ShrikeEpic · Coastal scrub (very rare)
Kit that helps
Best spotting scopes for UK birding. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.
Log a King Eider in your free UK Birdedex