| Spectacled eider | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male (front) and female (rear) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | Somateria |
| Species: | S. fischeri
|
| Binomial name | |
| Somateria fischeri (Brandt, 1847)
| |
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The spectacled eider (pronounced /ˈaɪ.dər/) (Somateria fischeri) is a large sea duck that breeds on the coasts of Alaska and northeastern Siberia.
The spectacled eider is slightly smaller than the common eider at 52–57 cm (20–22 inches) in length. The male is unmistakable with its black body, white back, and yellow-green head with the large circular white eye patches which give the species its name. The drake's call is a weak crooning, and the female's a harsh croak.
The female is a rich brown bird, but can still be readily distinguished from all ducks except other eider species on size and structure. The paler goggles are visible with a reasonable view and clinch identification. Immature birds and eclipse adult drakes are similar to the female.
The binomial commemorates the German scientist Johann Fischer von Waldheim.
- ^ BirdLife International (2020). "Somateria fischeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T22680412A180227232. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22680412A180227232.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.