King Eider
Somateria spectabilis

f10 @ 1/1600s, ISO:1000, Nikon D3S w 500mm and 1.7X teleconverter


"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 from 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.
Cape Cod Canal, Bournedale, Massachusetts
 
04/05/2017