UK Seas
Discover the wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the UK seas and shores
UK seas is a guide to the fauna and flora found around UK coasts. While the majority of species are marine, some species are included that are regularly encountered on land by the coast, so you’ll find descriptions of non-marine species such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants as well.
Eider
Somateria mollissima
Type
Birds
Description
The eider is a large seaduck. The males are very dapper as if in bright evening wear, and the female is a little dowdy in mottled brown, more practical for camouflage when sitting on eggs. Sociable and quite noisy together.
The provider of soft, warm down for pillows and quilts, eiders are also known as cuddy ducks, after the Anglo-Saxon monk St Cuthbert who had a soft spot for them.
Location
Close in shore, bobbing about in the waves.