Eider Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
Eiders are well-known for their size and striking looks, but their feeding habits are equally interesting. With their ability to dive for food and avoid predators, these birds have developed unique survival strategies.
In this article, we will learn what Eiders eat, how they gather food, who their main predators are, and how their size and weight benefit them in coastal environments. Continue reading to learn more.
Table of Contents
The Dietary Habits Of The Eider
Let’s take a look at what Eiders eat and how they find their food, as well as what baby Eiders need to grow strong and healthy.
What Does An Eider Eat?
The diet of Eiders consists mainly of marine invertebrates, especially mussels and shellfish. In addition, they eat crabs, sea urchins, marine worms, snails, and sometimes small fish.
Skilled at diving, they often forage in shallow waters, diving to the seabed to catch their prey. They also use head-dipping and upending methods to catch prey closer to the surface or in slightly deeper waters, utilising their strong diving skills.
What To Feed A Baby Eider?
Small marine invertebrates make up the majority of the Eider chicks’ diet. Commonly, the chicks consume small crustaceans and molluscs, which are abundant in the eiders’ coastal habitat and easier for the young ducklings to digest. These food sources provide essential nutrients, supporting the rapid growth and development of the chicks.
Breeding Habits Of Eiders
Pairs of Eiders are formed during the autumn or early winter. The courtship display involves males tossing their heads, stretching their necks, flapping their wings, and making soft cooing noises to attract females.
The females select the nesting sites, usually close to the sea, and often reuse sites from previous seasons. The nests are simple depressions in the ground, which females line with down feathers plucked from their bodies after laying their eggs. This down is essential for keeping the eggs warm during the 24-26 day incubation period.
Eiders typically nest in colonies, and the females are the ones who take on the task of incubating the eggs. After hatching, the chicks are led to the sea by their mother and often join other ducklings in large groups, forming what are called “crèches” for better protection.
Do Eiders Mate For Life?
Eiders do not mate for life, but they do have a monogamous relationship throughout each breeding season. Occasionally, these pairs might reunite in future seasons, suggesting a semi-long-term connection. Their social behaviour during breeding can be complicated, often involving different mates each year.
The Size & Weight Of Eiders
Let’s look at how much Eiders weigh and how their size helps them in their coastal habitats.
How Much Does An Eider Weigh?
As the largest duck in Europe and North America, the Eider’s weight falls between 1.2 kg and 2.08 kg, with females tending to be lighter than males.
How Big Is An Eider?
The Eider, a large sea duck, is usually between 50 and 71 cm long. Its wingspan stretches from 80 to 108 cm, offering support to its solid body. This size is key to its diving ability, which helps it gather food from below the water’s surface.
Are Eiders Under Threat?
On the global IUCN Red List, the Eider is listed as “Near Threatened”. This status indicates the species is close to qualifying for a threatened category, driven by moderate population declines across Europe. These declines are caused by various threats, such as overharvesting of marine resources, pollution, disturbance, and hunting.
In the UK, the Eider holds an “Amber” conservation status, indicating the species is either facing significant local population risks or moderate declines across the country.
What Eats A Eider?
Large gulls, minks, and White-tailed Eagles are some of the main predators of Eiders.
Gulls, including the glaucous gull, have a big impact on Eider populations by feeding on eggs and ducklings. Minks, being an invasive species, are also a threat by reaching Eiders’ nests on coastal islands. In some areas, White-tailed Eagles, which are found in Scotland, may also pose a danger.
These predators can greatly impact the survival of young Eiders, which are already at risk due to their nesting on accessible ground locations.
Where Can I See Eiders In The UK?
There are several excellent birdwatching spots across the UK where Eiders can be seen, such as South Walney in Cumbria. It is known for its gull population and is one of the southernmost breeding sites for Eiders in Europe, with the best time to visit being from March to August.
Whitburn Coastal Park in County Durham is a popular migration stop, making it an excellent place to spot Eiders along with other seabirds.
Bempton Cliffs, with its towering cliffs, is a birdwatcher’s haven, and Eiders can be seen during the breeding season. Udale Bay in the Highlands is also ideal for winter birdwatching, with a range of ducks and geese, including Eiders.
Lastly, South Stack Cliffs in Anglesey is a picturesque spot for observing a wide range of bird species throughout the year, including Eiders during the breeding season.
SEE ALSO: Eider Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)
Frequently Asked Questions
An Eider duck typically measures between 50 and 71 cm in length. Its wingspan can range from 80 to 108 cm, supporting its robust body.
The common Eiders face predation primarily from large gulls, minks, and White-tailed Eagles. Gulls impact their populations by preying on eggs and ducklings, minks threaten their nests on coastal islands, and in some regions of Scotland, White-tailed Eagles can also be a danger.
Eider ducks can be observed at several prime birdwatching spots across the UK, including South Walney in Cumbria, Whitburn Coastal Park in County Durham, Bempton Cliffs, Udale Bay in the Highlands, and South Stack Cliffs in Anglesey, especially from March to August during their breeding season.
