Picture: Jón Baldur Hlíðberg

EIDER

Æðarfugl

Somateria mollissima

-           Residence: Breeds and is resident on suitable coasts of Iceland.

-           Habitat: Coasts, especially sheltered bays and estuaries. Rare inland.

-           The Nest: The eiderdown they use in their nest is often used for bed sheets and is very expensive. When the female has laid the eggs it does not leave the nest, not even for feeding, for about 26 days.

-           Population: About one million in Iceland.

-           Clotch size: Usually lays about 3-6 eggs but can lay up to 12 eggs.

-           Characteristic: Large bulky duck. Long sloping bill gives triangular headshape. Male has  bold  black and white plumage with greenish nape and pinkish breast. Female rich browns