53-61 cm (21-24") Common sea duck of tundra coastal waters, seldom seen south of the Far North; rare on Great Lakes; casual winter visitor to west and east coasts.
Male: distinctive head pattern - blue-gray head, greenish-white cheeks, large bright orange shield over base of bill; white breast, black back and sides. In flight, black back, black wings with large white patches.
Female: brown head; body mottled brown and black overall; heavily crescent or v-shaped barred sides. Very similar female Common Eider is larger and has black bars, not crescents on sides, longer bill shield and more sloping forehead.
Song: moaning sounds, hollow croaks.
Videos
Images
![Male](https://res-5.cloudinary.com/ebirdr/image/upload/s--dUYS7iMC--/q_auto/f_auto/t_square_crop_160/1697-king-eider.jpg?_a=BAAAV6E0)
![Female](https://res-4.cloudinary.com/ebirdr/image/upload/s--DLk9TecI--/q_auto/f_auto/t_square_crop_160/1698-king-eider.jpg?_a=BAAAV6E0)