Eider
Somateria mollissima
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Eider is the UK's largest sea duck — heavy, stocky, with a characteristic sloping forehead profile. The drake is spectacular: black-and-white with a pink breast and lime-green patches on the head — unmistakeable. They breed in northern Scotland and occasional groups reach the Sefton Coast in winter. The eiderdown used in duvets comes from the lining of their nests. Once a familiar winter visitor off Merseyside but now less regular as UK breeding populations have declined.
At a Glance
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Habitat | Open sea · Rocky coast · Offshore |
| Diet | Mussels and other shellfish — dives to seabed and can swallow mussels whole |
| UK population | Around 25,000 breeding pairs in Scotland; red-listed due to significant decline |
| Sefton Coast | Irregular offshore; small groups occasionally visible from the beach in winter |
| Conservation | UK Red List |
Where to See It
Offshore from Formby and Ainsdale beaches. Occasional small groups visible from the beach.
Identification
Large, heavy sea duck with distinctive sloping forehead. Drake: black and white with pink breast and green nape patches. Duck: rich brown with barred patterning. Distinctive head profile at any distance.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Scan offshore with a telescope from Formby Point or Ainsdale. The large size and distinctive head shape are identifiable at considerable distance.
Conservation Status
UK Red List
This species is on the UK Red List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating serious concern about its population decline or unfavourable conservation status. Monitoring this species on the Sefton Coast contributes to national population tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does eiderdown come from?
Eiderdown comes from the soft feathers that female Eiders pluck from their own breasts to line their nests. This down is extraordinarily warm and light. In Iceland and Norway, farmers traditionally collect down from Eider nests after breeding — a sustainable harvest that also incentivises protecting the ducks. Commercial eiderdown collecting is still practiced at scale in Iceland.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.