Satellite tracking of Eiders

DMU Afdeling for Arktisk Miljø

Grønlands Naturinstitut

King Eider and Common Eider
Two species of eiders occur in Greenland: The King Eider and the Common Eider.

Link to satellite tracking of King Eider.

Link to satellite tracking of Common Eider.

The King Eider is slightly smaller than the common Eider, dives deeper and often feeds and rests further away from the coast. The King Eider mostly breeds close to freshwater while the Common Eider breeds along the coast.

		Males of Common Eider (top) and King Eider (bottom). Photo: Anders Mosbech.

The King Eider often breeds scattered in tundra areas thereby avoiding predators. The Common Eider often breeds in colonies on small islands that can’t be accessed by polar fox.

The King Eider doesn’t breed in Western Greenland but many of the birds that breeds in Canada spent most of the year in western Greenland – typically from August till April.

There are several indications that both species have been reduced in numbers. Ongoing research in both Greenland and Canada intends to uncover the migration pattern and population status and strengthen the knowledge base for management of the populations.