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Common Eider
jmorlan

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima borealis)

We saw very few adult males suggesting they may spend the summer away from the females. This one is in so called "eclipse plumage" with an all dark head. Unlike most ducks, this plumage does not resemble the female. They are dark but retain white upper wing coverts and long curved tertials. When molting, this white pattern may be further reduced. Note bright bill color typical of S. m. borealis. They typically hold this plumage from late June to September, rarely to November.
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Location
safjrur--hafnarsvi (harbour area), Vestfirir, Iceland.
Date taken
27 July 2018
Scientific name
Somateria mollissima borealis
Equipment used
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
delia todd
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
That's a super picture you've got there Joe. The males do seem to abandon their families in the summer!

We don't seem to have this subspecies represented in The Opus, so must be a hard one to find. Very well done lad. (Are you planning to upload this picture to the article?)
 

Media information

Category
Britain & Europe
Added by
jmorlan
Date added
View count
100
Comment count
2

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