Steller's Eider

Common Name	Steller's EiderBirdlife International
Species name	Polysticta stelleriBirdlife International
Family	Anatidae
Genus
Local Name	Country Appearance Local name Brunei Darussalam     Cambodia     China     Indonesia     Japan Yes コケワタガモ Lao PDR     Malaysia     Mongolia     Myanmar     Philippines     Republic of Korea     Singapore     Thailand     Vietnam

 

Visual and Sound Image

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Steller's Eider

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Sounds

 

Identification

43-47 cm. Smallish marine duck with squarish head and angular bill; breeding plumage male unmistakable (in eclipse blackish with white secondary coverts); 1st winter male brown with faint suggestion of male head markings - blackish throat and collar; female red-brown with blue tertials (except 1st winter when brown) and whitish inner webs. Most female-type plumages show pale eye ring. Flight fast with rapid beats; male shows white forewing and trailing edge, female has thin white wing bar and trailing edge.
<Similar species> Best told from other Eiders in non adult male plumage by shape and size supported by various plumage features described above.
<Hints> Occurs in tight flocks which dive simultaneously, search amongst other eider species away from main range.

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Range Description

Polysticta stelleri breeds between the Kolyma Delta and the Yamal Peninsula, Russia, and on the arctic plain of Alaska, USA1,14. A remnant population breeds in western Alaska. Non-breeding populations summer in Novaya Zemlya, Russia, northern Norway and adjacent Russian waters, and south-west Alaska1. Birds breeding east of the Khatanga Gulf, Russia, winter in the Bering Sea. Small numbers winter in northern Japan. Birds breeding west of the Khatanga Gulf winter in the north-east Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea. The total current population estimate is 110,000-125,000 individuals. Wintering populations in Europe were estimated at 7,700-20,800 individuals in 20002, but this did not include all Russian populations: the total for Europe and Russia is estimated at 23,060-36,160 individuals. In Europe, marked declines have been noted in recent years, with numbers falling by an estimated 13% per annum in the Baltic between 1994 until 2003 and by 8% per annum in Norway between 1985 and 20033,12. Birds wintering in Alaska declined from 137,904 in 1992 to 79,022 individuals in 20054,10,15, a decline rate equivalent to 3.8% per annum, or 39.6% over 13 years (three generations). However, the 1992 result may have been an overestimate and counts in 2001 and 2002 may have been underestimates; correcting for these yields a 1.7% annual decline, or 19.1% over 13 years11,15. The poorly known population wintering in east Asia may have declined by 20-40% to c.20,000-25,000 birds5, including 10,000-15,000 birds recently estimated to winter in the Russian Far East8. The number of eiders wintering on Bering Island, in the Commander Islands near Kamchatka, Russia, declined from estimates of 10,000 in the 1960s (Marakov 1965) to between 3,356-4,994 in 2005, 2006 and 200716. It is possible that some of these declines reflect population redistribution to unknown areas. It has been speculated that declines in the Baltic could result from the population shifting to waters around the Kola Peninsula, Russia12, although a survey of parts of this area in 2003 did not reveal sufficiently large numbers to confirm this13.

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Ecology

Ecology (Behaviour)

This species is migratory6. It begins to breed in June, nesting sometimes in single pairs in very low density (roughly one pair per 100 acres was recorded on the Kashunuk River in the 1960s) 19, but occasionally in small colonies of up to 60+ nests20. Around the time of hatching, males gather in large flocks off the coast near the breeding ground19. Shortly after hatching the female moves her brood to the coast where they form 'herds'19. The species migrates up to 3000km to its moulting sites19,20, where it becomes flightless for a period, before some continue migration to more distant wintering sites21. The timing of the moult migration appears to be highly variable, occurring sometimes as early as August, but in some years not until November, in which case the moult occurs prior to arrival19. On the moulting grounds it forms flocks that may exceed 50,000 birds20,22. Congregations of a similar size also occur also in the spring when pair formation occurs prior to departure for the breeding grounds20. Spring migration commences in March in East Asia20, and elsewhere it begins in April, usually peaking in May20. Arrivals on the breeding grounds begin in early June20. Some small flocks remain throughout the summer in the wintering quarters at Varangerfjiord20.

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Habitat

<Breeding> This species regularly breeds several kilometres inland20. It inhabits pools of various shapes and sizes in areas that characterise flat coastal belt within open tundra20. In the Lena Delta and Barrow areas it favours moss-lichen polygonal tundra20. It forages in areas of fresh, saline or brackish water, and tidal flats19. Following hatching all birds move to coastal habitats19.
<Non-breeding> It winters mostly at sea, along low-lying rocky coasts, frequenting bays and river mouths6. It forages in water that is less than 10m deep23, and particularly favours areas where freshwater streams enter the sea23.

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Diet

It feeds chiefly on molluscs, crustaceans and other marine invertebrates6. During the breeding season, some freshwater prey is taken including chironomid and caddisfly larvae19. During moult, bivalve molluscs are the primary food source24.

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Breeding Site

Nests are built on small hummocks or in depressions between hummocks, usually within a few metres of a tundra pond, and are often well-concealed by grass19. The nests are deep and lined with lichens, grass and down20.

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References

1. C. Dau in litt. (1999). 2. BirdLife International (2004). 3. I. Burfield in litt. (2005). 4. K. Laing in litt. (2004). 5. R. A. Stehn in litt. to Anseriformes Draft Action Plan. 6. del Hoyo et al. (1992). 7. Anon. (2001a). 8. D. Solovieva in litt. (2005). 9. Alaska SeaLife Center (2004). 10. Larned (2003). 11. Larned (2004). 12. ?ydelis et al. (2006). 13. Krasnov et al. (2004). 14. Frederickson (2001).15. Larned (2005). 16. Y. Artukhin, per K. Laing in litt. (2007). 17. Rjoek (2007). 18. Scott and Rose (1996). 19. Johnsgard (1978). 20. Kear (2005). 21. Petersen et al. (2006). 22. Laubhan and Metzner (1999). 23. Madge and Burn (1988). 24. Petersen (1981).

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Status

International Status

IUCN Red List Category

VU

Justification

This species is listed as Vulnerable because it is undergoing a rapid population reduction, particularly in the key Alaskan populations. Further studies are needed to determine the causes of these declines, and whether some populations may have shifted to unsurveyed areas within the range.
<Population Justification> 10,000-15,000 estimated to winter in N Norway and SE Baltic (based on 4,297 off Kola Peninsula in April 2003 [Krasnov et al. 2004], 2,250 in S Baltic in 2003 (Zydelis et al. 2006) and 2,000-4,000 wintering off Norway (unpublished information supplied by Wetlands International Specialist Groups to Wetlands International 2006). 100,000-110,000 estimated to winter in N. Pacific (counts in N. America declined from 137,904 in 1992 to 77,329 in 2003, forming basis of 2003 N American population estimate of 90,000-95,000: K. Laing in litt. 2005 to Wetlands International 2006; 20,000 migrate through Kamchatka Peninsula in spring: Gerasimov and Gerasimov 2003).
<Trend justification>The Alaskan population declined by 19-40% over 13 years (three generations), during 1992-2005 (Larned 2005). Declines in Europe have been even steeper, with numbers wintering in the Baltic declining by an estimated 13% per annum between 1994 and 2003 and by 8% per annum in Norway between 1985 and 2003 (?ydelis et al. in prep.). It is unclear, however, whether these declines were genuine, or reflect a redistribution to other wintering areas. Conservatively assuming the Asian population was stable over this time, and taking into account the smaller relative size of the European population, a precautionary decline rate of 30-49 % over 12 years is assumed.

 

National Status

Country	Category	Reference
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
China
Indonesia
Japan
Korea
Lao PDR
Malaysia
Mongolia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

 

Management

Threat

Subsistence hunting has been ongoing in Alaska since the late 19th century, and may have affected breeding populations here. Studies at Barrow indicate that the species is subject to lead poisoning from the historical (and probably ongoing, but now illegal) use of lead shot. Disease and water pollution may impact eiders in their wintering area in south-west Alaska. Eiders breeding in Russia are subject to human subsistence harvest and exposure to lead shot. Declines of wintering birds on Bering Island, Russia appear to be greater on the west coast near the only village on the island; new protective zones are being proposed there16. Nest predation by mammalian and avian predators appears to be a threat on Alaskan breeding grounds; no nesting was observed on breeding grounds near Barrow between 2001 and 2004, but nesting has since occurred with some success following the inception of fox control in 200517. Increasing human habitation of arctic regions has increased the range and numbers of Ravens and some large gulls, leading to a greater risk of predation20. Recent dramatic changes in arctic sea ice extent and thickness north of Alaska and Russia may affect eiders in unknown ways. Habitat loss also occurs through prospecting for, and the exploitation of, natural resources such as oil and gas20. The increasing traffic of tankers carrying oil from arctic areas imposes the risk of contamination following spills20. It is not currently clear which of these many factors is driving the overall decline4,12.

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Information

No descriptions

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Current Conservation

A European action plan was published in 2000, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service successfully proposed the critical habitat designation of 4,528 km2 of coastal habitat for the conservation of this species7. It is a protected species in both Russia and the USA. Work has begun in Russia to conduct waterfowl population and subsistence harvest surveys4. A captive breeding and research programme is underway in Alaska9. New protective zones are being proposed around wintering sites on Bearing Island16. CMS Appendix I and II.

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Current Conservation

Survey breeding and wintering grounds (particularly surrounding the Kola Peninsula, Russia) to determine population size and trends. Determine causes of current declines. Work to mitigate threats such as lead poisoning. Ensure subsistence harvest is sustainable.

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Legal Protection

Country	Status	Reference
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
China
Indonesia
Japan
Korea
Lao PDR
Malaysia
Mongolia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

 

Related Links

 

Range

Geographical Information

Migration Route

 

Asian Waterbird Census

Descriptions

The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) was initiated in 1987 and runs in parallel with other waterbird censuses carried out in Africa, Europe, Central and West Asia and Latin America under the umbrella of the International Waterbird Census (IWC), which is organised by Wetlands International.

The AWC takes place annually, during the second and third weeks of January, and is carried out by volunteers interested in collecting information on waterbirds and wetlands as a basis for contributing to their conservation.

Reference: Li, Z.W.D., Bloem, A., Delany S., Martakis G. and Quintero J. O. 2009. Status of Waterbirds in Asia - Results of the Asian Waterbird Census: 1987-2007. Wetlands International, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Census Data

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	2	3	3	2	4	4	0	4	4	4	4	5	5	0	0	0	9	0	0	1	0	9
CAMBODIA	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	11	0	0	12	12	11	5	1	6	9	6	6
CHINA	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	1	34	12	50	60	67	29	6	14	6	15	21	20	14	10	22	45	80	81	59	72
INDONESIA	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	1	19	8	17	17	15	19	16	0	0	47	12	10	40	34	14	16	15	23
JAPAN	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	53	39	52	47	20	50	40	47	37	41	37	107	112	103	109	97	159	142	137
LAO PDR	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	2	4	5	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	14	1	0	0	0	1	0	0
MALAYSIA	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	59	68	93	85	17	10	7	10	0	0	20	25	25	25	43	43	82	82	40
MYANMAR	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	5	3	12	17	15	21	20	13	12	2	4	2	0	7	32	47	73	24	31	32	19
PHILIPPINES	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	0	19	21	34	39	46	47	39	28	29	32	43	38	50	47	56	54	65	108
SINGAPORE	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	0	4	12	17	15	13	14	10	10	6	11	10	10	8	9	9	8	8	7
REPUBLIC OF KOREA	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	10	12	22	20	20	15	10	22	25	22	14	68	99	112	118	116	117	123	127	127
THAILAND	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	10	8	3	20	26	12	23	16	17	5	9	3	1	1	7	3	9	26	20	82	99	33
VIETNAM	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
The number of observed individual
The number of observed sites(not all count sites)
The total number of count sites	0	0	0	1	2	0	1	4	0	1	1	0	1	8	2	2	16	4	4	9	6	11

 

Population

Descriptions

 

Population Trend

 

Additional Information

BirdLife International

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Climate change species distributions

 

Other Information

• Audubon WatchList
• Detailed species account from Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status (BirdLife International 2004)
• European Species Action Plan
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Recovery Plan