Steller's Eider

Polysticta stelleri (Pallas, 1769)

Steller's Eider, Polysticta stelleri, breeds in north-west and north-east Siberia from the Yamal Peninsula to Chukotka, and on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska. Outside the breeding season it occurs in Kamchatka, the Commander and Kuril Islands, the Kola Peninsula, the Barents and White seas, and the Baltic Sea. It is an Arctic sea duck and the only member of Polysticta. It is also the smallest eider and the fastest flying one. The species was described by Pallas in 1769.

Order

Anseriformes

Family

Anatidae — Ducks, Geese, Swans

Breeding range

North America, Palearctic: nw, ne Siberia from Yamal Pen. to Chukotka; and Arctic Coastal Plain, n Alaska

Nonbreeding range

to Kamchatka Pen., Commander and Kuril is. (se Russia) and Aleutian Is.; also Kola Pen., Barents and White seas (nw Russia) and Baltic Sea