Steller's eider
Polysticta stelleri
Identification Tips:
- Length: 12 inches Wingspan: 29 inches
- Diving duck
- Gray unfeathered bill
- Squarish head
- Long tail
Adult male alternate:
- White head and flanks
- Black on throat and back
- Black around eye
- Greenish patch on lores and rear of head
- Black spot on breast
- Black and white scapulars
- Brownish belly
Adult female:
- Dark brown plumage
- Pale eyering
Similar species:
The adult male is not likely to be confused with any other duck. The very
dark female is similar to other female eiders but note the smaller size,
unfeathered bill, squarer head, and longer tail.
Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.