Migration of Common Eider

Photo: Lynne Dickson; Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service

The Pacific race of Common Eider (Somateria mollissima v nigra) nests in western and central arctic Canada, and winters west of the continent. Between 1976 and 1996, the Pacific Common Eider experienced a population decline of more than 50 percent, for reasons that are unknown. Possible causes range from over-harvesting, to the effect of contaminants, to changing oceanographic conditions which might have altered their food supply.

Common Eiders spend most of their life at sea, coming ashore only briefly each year to produce young. Little is known of their distribution while at sea, including migration routes and location of moulting and wintering areas.

Climate change and resource development activities in the arctic (e.g. offshore oil and gas in the Beaufort Sea) have accelerated in recent years, adding urgency to the need to locate the important offshore areas for Common Eiders. Thus, in 2001, a study was initiated using satellite telemetry to determine where the eiders go when they leave their nesting grounds.

For more information about the study please contact: