Page 42 - An-introduction-to-Svalbard
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Upper: Common eider. Lower: King eider. Above: Purple sandpiper.
The common eider (Somateria mollissima) nests in colonies on low-lying grass or moss-
covered islands and islets, mainly along the west coast of Spitsbergen. It returns in April
after having spent the winter along the northern coast of Norway. It is a shy and easily
disturbed duck.
The king eider (Somateria spectabilis) is smaller than the common eider. The beautiful male, as
its Latin name implies, is spectacular and unmistakable with its black body, white breast and
beautifully coloured head. The female resembles the common eider female, but has a finer
pattern and has a shimmer of red in its plumage. A small number of king eiders nest on Sval-
bard. The king eider is mostly seen early in the season often accompanied by common eiders.
The purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima) is the most common wading bird on Svalbard. The
purple sandpiper is a well-camouflaged wading bird that blends well into the surrounding
terrain, providing protection from gulls, skuas and Arctic foxes. They nest on the ground, often
in the same place year after year.
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