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The Common Eider inhabits Arctic and Subarctic coastal marine habitats and has a circumpolar distribution that includes Russia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland. The species spends its entire life cycle in marine environments; it nests in large colonies, mostly on marine islands, and forms large aggregations in inshore coastal regions during the non-breeding season. The national population is thought to have decreased relative to 1970. However, reliable information on population size and trends for the Common Eider, as for most sea ducks, is often difficult to obtain because of the remoteness of the breeding and wintering areas. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Emerging threats for Common Eiders include epidemic outbreaks, disturbance of breeding colonies by polar bears, increased shipping though Hudson Strait, mortality from oil spills, and high harvest in Newfoundland (Goudie et al. 2000). It is believed that increasing resource development in Canadian Arctic breeding areas will likely result in increased human activity and have potential adverse effects on Common Eider populations. In Canada, Common Eiders are harvested recreationally, commercially (down collection) and for Aboriginal subsistence purposes. In some regions, data suggest that harvest needs to be carefully monitored to ensure it remains sustainable (Gilliland et al. 2009).
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.
