King Eider
Somateria spectabilis (Linnaeus, 1758)
KE
KINEI
2070
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
This handsome seaduck is a scarce visitor from its northern breeding grounds. Although it may be recorded at any time of year, most records are from northern Britain in the winter months.
The female King Eider does not feed very often during the three week incubation period. One female was not observed to leave her nest for seven days, until being flushed by an Arctic Fox.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the King Eider
BTO RECORDS
Identification
King Eider identification is usually straightforward.
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Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Orkney, 1832 |
DISTRIBUTION
King Eiders are scarce vagrants but several individuals winter most years, usually associated with Eider flocks and often in northern Britain.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 23 |
| % occupied in winter | 0.8 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
This vagrant has been recorded in several atlases so we have been able to map distribution changes. However, as a rarity these may not show a consistent pattern of change.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +120% |
SEASONALITY
King Eider is a scarce vagrant, with many records relating to long-staying individuals that may be seen in almost any month of the year.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about King Eider, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: KE | 5-letter code: KINEI | Euring: 2070 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Post-release survival of oiled, cleaned seabirds in North America
- Further experiments on the management of saltings pasture for wigeon (Anas penelope L.) conservation at Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve, Somerset
- Clutch size and nesting sites of the mandarin duck Aix galericulata
Read more studies about King Eider on Conservation Evidence >
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