Species profile
About this species
The King Eider is a large sea duck found across Arctic & subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The male is strikingly coloured with a vivid orange-red bill shield, pale blue-grey head, & boldly patterned black & white body plumage. Females are more cryptically coloured in warm brown tones, providing camouflage during nesting on the Arctic tundra.
The King Eider breeds on Arctic tundra close to freshwater lakes & pools, migrating to coastal marine environments in winter where it dives in shallow to moderately deep seas for molluscs & other invertebrates.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph King Eider with us in Norway.
These departures are part of our Europe programme.
In the field, Alison Jenkins helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Late spring & early summer in Arctic breeding areas offer the best opportunity to photograph males in full breeding plumage. Coastal locations in Norway, Iceland, & northern Canada are excellent during May & June. Winter gatherings along northern coastlines can also provide excellent shooting opportunities on calm, bright days.
Position yourself low to the water to achieve eye-level shots that capture the vivid colours of the male's bill shield & head markings. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze the duck's movement on choppy coastal waters. In overcast Arctic light, increase your ISO carefully to maintain exposure while preserving the rich colour detail of the plumage.
Available holidays
Trips featuring King Eider
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.