Threatened spectacled eider male (Somateria fischeri), Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, Alaska
Credit: Laura L. Whitehouse/USFWS

North American field guide

Spectacled Eider

Somateria fischeri

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Identification

Field notes

53 cm (21") Rare. Alaskan coast.

Male: distinctive light green head. Large white eye patch gives it a spectacled look. Feathers on its orange bill extends almost to its nostrils. Black breast and belly.

Female: barred brownish duck like other female eiders. Blue-gray bill with feathers extending almost to nostrils. It has a pale image of an eye patch or spectacles.

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos
Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Spectacled Eider (Female)

1 rule
Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 1
What colour was the SIDE ?
Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?
Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?
Blue · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
Light area over, below, behind or around the eye · NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?
Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Duck or Goose-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Northwestern Canada or United States
result:770-spectacled-eider-female:1:1 Source: 770 Spectacled Eider (Female), row 1

Spectacled Eider (Male)

1 rule
Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 1
What colour was the SIDE ?
Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
Light area over, below, behind or around the eye · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?
Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Green · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Duck or Goose-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Northwestern Canada or United States
result:769-spectacled-eider-male:1:1 Source: 769 Spectacled Eider (Male), row 1