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The big, striking Steller's eider is the second rarest of the four eider species that breed on the North Slope of Alaska (along with common eiders, king eiders, and the small Steller's eiders). As their name suggests, male spectacled eiders have bold black-rimmed white 'goggle' markings and are otherwise mostly black and white; females are barred brown but also have a faint 'spectacle'. These birds were all photographed near the coastal town of Barrow, Alaska. They were uncommon and fairly shy but could be approached from the water (chest waders were a big help). Apparently most of the population winters on sea ice in the Bering Sea. In the group photo, the bird on the left is a king eider. |
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