#eiders

[antiqueanimals]

Don Balke (American, b. 1933). Common Eider Ducks, Maine, 1982. Gouache and watercolor on board.

MutualArt

[arctuuz]

Duckling

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

Have you seen the spectacled eider (Somateria fischeri)?

I have now

Yes, in photos/videos

Yes, irl

I'm not sure

Voting ended onFeb 4

[marinolta]

Ducks, Eiders, Mergansers & Other Waterfowl of Maine

[na-bird-of-the-day]

BOTD: Common Eider

Photo: Tobias Verfuss

"A big, lethargic, heavy-bodied duck of northern coastlines. Often seen floating offshore in flocks of up to several thousand birds. Sociable in breeding season also, and often nests in colonies. Eider down, famous for its insulating qualities, is used in large amounts in the nest lining of these ducks, helping to keep the eggs warm in frigid northern climates. In some places, such as Iceland, the down is harvested commercially at coastal 'eider farms,' where the wild birds are encouraged to nest in sheltered nooks built for them."

- Audubon Field Guide

[aquatic-batt]

pixel ducks :]

[gender-ambiguous-pirate]

Least favourite bird? (quizzical, friendly, said with genuine interest)

Thanks so much for the bird ask!

Short answer: blackback seagull

Long answer: when I was a kid, we would sometimes take in orphaned eider ducklings or eggs from birds that had too many. The first year we did this we had 10, I took care of them, gave them food, took them swimming, napped with them et.c. As they got older they stopped coming inside at all, but they still always came and said hi when I went down to the shore. My oldest one was a bit of a brat (affectionate) and stubborn as shit. So when they were all swimming together and a blackback seagull attacked them, he attacked back to protect his siblings. Unfortunately, and eider duckling is no match for a blackback and he was never seen after that.

[sobekc]

1. Common Eider

2. Chimney Swift

3. Razorbill