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 Eider Somateria mollissima L 60, W 100. Breeds abundantly along coasts of N Europe, mostly resident in areas where ice allows, migrant (considerable migratory movements) in Arctic Ocean and Baltic Sea. A big and heavy diving duck. Male for the most part white (in eclipse in late summer brown-grey with element of white on back), female uniformly brown-mottled. Bill wedge-shaped and pointed, pale greyish. Heavier wingbeats than other ducks, holds the head low in flight. Courtship in flocks, when the males fight and utter far-carrying, deep 'a-OOH-e' calls, while the females give a clucking 'kok-ok-ok-. . .', like a throbbing motor engine, which often forms dense sound effects during calm spring nights. The young broods hatch early, join up together and are attended collectively. The males gather in large flocks at sea from the end of May, after which they move along with younger birds to Danish waters and North Sea coast, to moult in July and Aug. Juveniles darker than adult female, young male darkest, has pale supercilium. RW
 An
excellent pocket reference book for recognising birds
is the Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe,
which is a comprehensive reference guide to Britain
and mainland Europe's plethora of ornithological life.
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