Common eider vs Spectacled eider
The common eider is heavier: 2.06 kg against 1.56 kg for the spectacled eider, about 32% more.
Photo: Andreas Trepte · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: ALAN SCHMIERER · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
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What is the difference between a common eider and a spectacled eider?
Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.
- The common eider is heavier: 2.06 kg against 1.56 kg for the spectacled eider, about 32% more.
- The common eider is longer-lived: 23 years against 18 years for the spectacled eider, about 28% longer.
- Both belong to the genus Somateria, so they are close relatives.
- Both are listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Side by side
| Common eider | Spectacled eider | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Somateria mollissima | Somateria fischeri |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Weight | 1.92 kg – 2.22 kg | 1.37 kg – 1.6 kg |
| Length | 50 cm – 71 cm | Not recorded |
| Lifespan | 23 years | 18 years |
| Main food | Not recorded | Not recorded |
| Habitat | marine | coastal |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened | Near Threatened |
| Countries recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded |
A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.
Full record: Common eiderFull record: Spectacled eiderCompare other animals