Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
~ 1828
About this artwork
This scientific illustration depicts a male Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) in transitional plumage, resting on brown rocks by a body of water with distant grey mountains under a light sky. The detailed rendering highlights the bird's distinctive black, brown, and white feather patterns.
Did you know?
The Common Eider, depicted here with remarkable detail, is celebrated for its exceptionally soft and insulating down feathers, known as eiderdown. Historically, communities living in its Arctic and sub-Arctic habitats have sustainably harvested these feathers, which the female plucks from her own breast to line her nest. This natural insulation is still prized today for high-quality bedding and garments, making the eider a fascinating example of natural resource and human ingenuity.
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Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Wihelm Wright, ~ 1828
