Eider

Outside the breeding season, the eider  a sea duck  is found mainly in our sheltered coastal waters, sometimes in flocks of several hundred birds.

Eider is a widely distributed breeding species around Scotland’s shores. Outside the breeding season, it is mainly found in sheltered coastal waters, sometimes in flocks of several hundred birds.

Nesting eiders in Scotland are at risk from:

The eider’s fondness for shellfish has sometimes brought the species into conflict with mussel farmers.

Male and female eider ducks (Somateria mollissima) . ©Lorne Gill/SNH. For information on reproduction rights contact the Scottish Natural Heritage Image Library on Tel. 01738 444177 or www.nature.scot
Male and female eider ducks (Somateria mollissima).
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©Lorne Gill.

Protection of eider

Find out how Scotland’s wild birds are protected.

Learn about birds and licensing.

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