Common Eider

arctic birds · sea-ducks · speedy flyers

Speedy Arctic Hunter. The common eider is a large sea-duck that can fly at incredible speeds up to 113 kilometers per hour (70 miles per hour), making it one of the fastest ducks in the world.

Lives in Cold Places. These ducks live along the northern coasts of Europe, North America, and eastern Siberia, where it's icy and windy. They breed in Arctic regions during summer and move south to warmer coastal waters when winter arrives.

Ocean Life Expert. The common eider is built for life at sea, diving and swimming in coastal waters where it hunts for food and floats in large groups with other ducks.

Many Nicknames. This duck has two special old names: St. Cuthbert's duck and Cuddy's duck, which people have called it for hundreds of years in certain parts of the world.