King Eider
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Somateria spectabilis
Rare & annual vagrants from the Arctic with 300 records for Britain & 25 for Ireland.
They breed in Alaska, North America & Norway.
Males have blueish grey nape and neck.
The cheek is pale green.
The bill, separated from the face by a thin black line, is red with a white nail and a large, distinctive yellow knob.
Some tertials are curved up and form "spurs" along the back.
Females are warm brown colour overall, slightly paler on the head and neck, also has blackish chevrons, while those on her neck and head bear fine black streaks.
The bill is black.
Juvenile birds are greyish brown.
The call is dove like cooing.