Wild Spectacled Eider Conservation

Spectacled eiders are Arctic sea ducks whose welfare depends on tundra nesting habitat and molting grounds protected from disturbance.

Key Facts

Spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) are listed as Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act
They nest on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska and Siberia
The entire world population molts in a remarkably restricted area under sea ice in the Bering Sea
Lead poisoning from ingesting lead shot in wetlands was a significant historical mortality source
The switch to steel shot in waterfowl hunting has reduced but not eliminated lead poisoning
Climate change is altering sea ice conditions affecting winter distribution
Their concentrated molting aggregations make them extremely vulnerable to oil spills

Welfare Considerations

Lead poisoning from ingested shot causes neurological deterioration and death in spectacled eiders. The extraordinary concentration of the world population in a small molting area under sea ice creates catastrophic vulnerability to oil spills - a single event could eliminate much of the global population. Climate change altering sea ice thickness and distribution affects the insulating conditions eiders depend on during their remarkable winter aggregation. Conservation of both nesting tundra and molting habitat is essential.

What You Can Do

Support lead-free ammunition regulations for all hunting near eider nesting and feeding areas
Advocate for marine protected area designation covering critical spectacled eider molting grounds
Donate to US Fish and Wildlife Service eider monitoring programs in Alaska
Support prevention of offshore oil and gas development near eider concentration areas
Learn about spectacled eider biology and their remarkable winter aggregation behavior
Oppose lead shot use in Alaska that contaminates wetlands used by tundra-nesting birds