Common Eider Duck - Duck Hunting - Wetland Hunting
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Description
Common Eider ducks are large in size with a distinctive long, sloping frontal lobe of the bill that extends almost to the crown. The breeding males are white above and black below with a black cap and pale green on the back of the neck and green to yellow-orange bills. However, non-breeding and immature males are chocolate brown with variables on the back and breast. Females are brown and dense blackish barring, and black bill. Common eider ducks are 50 – 71 cm long, weigh 1,300 – 2,611 g and 95 – 98 cm wingspan.
Habitat
The main habitats are rocky coasts and shoals in summer. However, in the tundra, the birds thrive in nests and on smaller islands. In other seasons, the common eider ducks thrive on oceanic waters not far from the shore. They rarely live on freshwater.
Diet
The common eider duck mainly feeds on mollusks. They also feed on echinoderms, small fish, aquatic insects, some crabs, and other crustaceans. On breeding grounds, these birds eat more insects and vegetative materials. The ducks forage underwater and in shallow waters by swimming with the only head submerged or by up-ending. Common eider ducks can feed by day or night, mostly on falling or low tide.
Nesting
It is common for several males to court one female. Males make certain displays that involve making low cooing calls and exaggerated movements. Sometimes, males rear out of the water and flap their wings.
The nest site is on the ground, usually sheltered by plants or rocks, close to water. These birds usually breed in colonies. Ergo, they can be associated with other birds. A shallow depression lined with down and plant material is an ideal nest.
Females lay 1 to 8 olive-green to olive-gray eggs. Incubation is done by females only for 24 to 25 days. Females tend to the young, although the ducklings find their food. Various broods usually join in a group called a creche. A creche has the young and a few adult females. The age of the first flight is 65 to 75 days.
