Thick-necked stocky birds, alternately flapping and sailing in flight; flocks string out in a line, close to the water. Occurs in the United States chiefly along New England coasts and occasionally south to New Jersey.
Other eiders—king, spectacled and Stellar's—occur in Alaska and are not pictured in this guide. King eiders occasionally are found in north Atlantic coastal waters.
Oldsquaw
Length—20½ in.
Weight—2 lbs.
Summer Drake Winter Drake
Winter Hen
A slim, brightly plumaged sea duck. Smaller than the scoters or eiders.
Flight is swift and low with constantly changing flock formations. Ranges along both coasts and the Great Lakes.