King Eider
Somateria spectabilis

f9 @ 1/2000s, ISO:800, Nikon D300S w 500mm and 1.4X tele-extender

\"King Eider,\" Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Like all eiders, the species is sexually dimorphic; the male is slightly larger and, in breeding plumage, much more colorful than the female. The male is unmistakable with its mostly black body, buff-tinged white breast and multicolored head. The head, nape and neck are a pale bluish grey. The cheek is pale green. The bill, separated rom the face by a thin black line, is red with a white nail and a large, distinctive yellow knob. Some tertials are curved up and form \"spurs\" along the back.

Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada

06/27/2011