Map courtesy Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
In its normal range, generally in large flocks, with the brown females and immatures outnumbering the strikingly ornate adult males. The king eider has a circumpolar distribution. King Eiders are often found in the same places as other diving seaducks, especially Surf and White-winged Scoters. Winter shown in blue. The male in spectacular breeding plumage cannot be mistaken for any other bird. British Columbia has about 30 records, California close to 40, and Oregon, 13.
When an intruder is present, the female sits low on the nest with her head flattened on the ground. The female King Eider alone attends the nest. King Eider range: Breeding shown in yellow. King eiders generally nest in vegetation, often adjacent to small lakes and ponds or on small islets on the coast and lay an average of 4-5 eggs. Winter shown in blue. Well adapted to frigid climates, diving and swimming underwater in seas near the freezing point, resting on ice floes. King Eider. In North America it breeds along the Arctic coast from Alaska to Greenland and along most of the northern Hudson Bay shoreline. Back has 2 triangular feathers that stick up, black wings have white patches. The King Eider forages on sea beds up to 80 feet deep. The King Eider's species name spectabilis is Latin for “remarkable display,” referring to the drake, or adult male, in its breeding plumage. Somateria spectabilis. King Eider: Stocky, colourful duck with black belly, tail, and lower back with two white, round spots. King Eider range: Breeding shown in yellow.
Pale pink-buff breast, grey-blue crown,nape, green cheeks, red-orange bill has a large, orange knob with a black border. The King Eider's species name spectabilis is Latin for “remarkable display,” referring to the drake, or adult male, in its breeding plumage. Map courtesy Cornell Lab of Ornithology. A big sea-duck of Arctic waters.
She sits tightly on the eggs and sometimes can be touched or picked up off of the nest.